Perennial Plant of the Week; Blanket Flower 'Moxie'

Breeders are having fun with blanket flower (gaillardia).

In general the plant is a tough sun lover which will return year after year.

I've fallen in love with Gaillardia Commotion 'Moxie' for its unusual yellow blooms and pretty reddish orange centers.

It starts blooming towards the end of June and will go until frost. It's a good idea to remove the spent blooms and feed the plant with a good liquid organic fertilizer about once a month.

The flowers get about two feet tall and will enjoy growing in fertile, well drained soil.

Butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators are attracted to the plant.

Although it loves full sun, it will bloom with about six hours of sun.

It's hardy from zone 5-9.

This is a cool, long blooming plant worth a try in the perennial border.