Scientific Name: Gaillardia 'Gusto™ Orange Zest'

Common Name: Gusto™ Orange Zest Blanket Flower

Garden Size: 14 inches tall by 16-18 inches wide

Growth Rate: Moderate

USDA Zone: 4-9

Exposure: Full Sun

Water & Soil: Thrives in well-drained soils and tolerates average, sandy, or rocky conditions. Water regularly until established, then only during prolonged drought. Avoid wet or poorly drained soils, especially during winter.

Habit (Form): Compact, mounded

Foliage: Green foliage

Flowers: Brilliant orange flowers that continuously open to cover spent blooms; blooms from late spring through fall

Plant Origin: Hybrid

Wildlife Support: May provide some nesting sites and shelter for birds and small mammals, but does not serve as much of a host for local insects and wildlife. May provide food for insects while blooming.

Fertilizing: Generally low-fertility needs and performs best in lean soils. May include Biotone or EarthMix® Landscape™ at the time of planting, and may apply pine fines or EarthMix® Landscape™ in early spring if growth appears weak or leaves are pale.

Pruning: Deadhead regularly to encourage continuous blooming. If plants become leggy, shear back by up to one-third in midsummer to promote fresh growth and rebloom. Some hybrid cultivars can produce viable seeds, but may not breed true to the original cultivar. To encourage self-seeding on fertile cultivars, allow the final flowers of the season to mature into seed heads. Remove old foliage in late winter or early spring.

Toxicity: Generally reported to be non-toxic to humans and pets

Uses: Borders, edging, pollinator gardens, prairie and meadow plantings, rock gardens, cutting gardens, and containers (but keep in mind that the limited warranty is voided if plants are not in the ground).