SpinTop Red Starburst Blanket Flower

SpinTop Red Starburst Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata 'SpinTop Red Starburst')

SpinTop Red Starburst Blanket Flower is a compact, sun-loving perennial that keeps bright color coming through the hottest part of the season. The bold yellow blooms with a red eye look crisp from a distance and make borders feel more energized without needing a large footprint. Its tidy, mounding habit fits easily at the front of beds and also performs well in containers. Once established in well-drained soil, it handles heat and short dry spells with less fuss than many long-blooming perennials.

Distinctive Features

This gaillardia produces large, daisy-like flowers with bright yellow petals and a prominent red center, blooming from late spring through summer and often continuing into early fall with routine deadheading. The plant forms a dense, well-branched mound of green foliage that stays compact and presentable. Flowers are held above the foliage on sturdy stems, making the color read clearly without flopping. It is valued for strong flower power, pollinator appeal, and durability in sunny, well-drained sites.

Growing Conditions

• Sun: Full sun for best flowering and tight growth.
• Soil: Well-drained soil, including sandy or lean soils, and avoid heavy, wet ground.
• Water: Medium moisture to establish, then low to moderate once rooted in, letting soil dry between waterings.
• USDA Zones: 4 to 9.
• Mature Size: About 8 to 12 inches tall and 12 to 16 inches wide.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point: Plant in a small drift as a focal point where the yellow-and-red blooms can brighten a sunny border for weeks.
• Edging: Line paths and bed fronts with a compact mound that stays colorful without taking over.
• Pollinator Gardens: Use in groups to support bees and butterflies through the long bloom window.
• Rock Gardens: Tuck into well-drained pockets where strong color and a tidy habit shine.
• Containers: Grow in pots for a heat-tough burst of color that keeps the planting looking fresh.

Low Maintenance Care

• Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage continued blooming and keep the plant looking clean.
• Drainage: Prioritize sharp drainage, especially in winter, since wet soil can shorten lifespan.
• Watering: Water regularly the first season, then water deeply only during extended drought.
• Feeding: Avoid heavy fertilizing, since leaner conditions support better flowering and sturdier growth.
• Cutback: Trim lightly after a heavy flush to refresh growth and maintain a compact mound.

Why Choose SpinTop Red Starburst Blanket Flower?

• High-Impact Color: Yellow blooms with a red eye deliver bold contrast that reads clearly in the landscape.
• Compact Habit: Stays neat and low, making it easy to fit into small spaces and front borders.
• Long Bloom Season: Flowers for an extended stretch from late spring through summer, often into early fall with deadheading.
• Heat and Drought Tolerance: Performs well in summer sun once established in well-drained soil.
• Deer Resistance: Often less appealing to deer and rabbits than many flowering perennials.

If you want strong summer color on a plant that stays tidy and reliable, SpinTop Red Starburst Blanket Flower is a smart pick. Give it full sun and well-drained soil, then keep up with simple deadheading to extend the show. It looks best repeated in small groups so the color reads as a deliberate design layer. In the right site, it delivers weeks of bloom with a low-maintenance routine.