Gaillardia 'Mesa Peach'

Gaillardia 'Mesa Peach': A Soft Sunset in Bloom
Warm and inviting, Gaillardia 'Mesa Peach' brings a softer side to the fiery world of blanket flowers. Its gentle peach-hued petals, flushed with hints of golden yellow and coral, radiate from a warm amber centre, creating a soothing sunset effect that glows in the summer garden. Compact, drought-tolerant, and endlessly floriferous, this long-blooming beauty adds a touch of refinement to sunny borders, pollinator plantings, and containers alike.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 40–50 cm
• Spread: 30–45 cm, forming a tidy, mounded clump
• Flower Colour: Soft peach with golden-yellow tones and a warm amber cone
• Flowering Period: Early summer to early autumn
• Foliage: Lance-shaped, medium green leaves with a slightly coarse texture
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Average to sandy, well-drained soil; drought-tolerant once established

Uses and Benefits: Gaillardia 'Mesa Peach' is a standout for those seeking softer tones in sun-drenched gardens. Its elegant, muted colouring blends beautifully with pastels or silvers and contrasts gently with bolder reds and purples. A magnet for bees and butterflies, it’s ideal for pollinator gardens, hot borders, and water-wise landscapes. With its compact habit and season-long flowering, it performs reliably in both beds and containers, requiring little care to maintain its charm.

Companion Plants: Pair Gaillardia 'Mesa Peach' with Lavandula 'Ellagance Snow', whose white spires and silvery foliage provide a fragrant and cooling contrast to the warm peach tones. Add Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sunset', whose tall, warm-toned blooms echo the colour palette while adding height and structure. Complete the combination with Festuca 'Buddy Blue', whose fine, icy-blue blades balance the soft warmth of Mesa Peach with graceful texture.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Water during establishment, then sparingly, as plants are drought-tolerant once rooted. Deadhead regularly to extend blooming, or leave late-season seed heads for texture and wildlife value. Cut back in early spring and divide every 2–3 years to maintain vigour and compact form.

History: Part of the Mesa series—bred for uniform growth, exceptional bloom power, and improved hardiness—Gaillardia 'Mesa Peach' is a modern take on a North American native classic. Descended from Gaillardia aristata, a prairie species known for resilience, this cultivar offers all the durability of its wild ancestors with a more refined, garden-friendly palette.

Final Thoughts: Radiating warmth with an understated glow, Gaillardia 'Mesa Peach' brings elegance and easy care to the summer garden. Whether used to soften bold schemes or enhance a pastel border, it delivers reliable blooms, pollinator support, and a gentle beauty that lasts through the hottest days of the year. A perennial sunset you can plant and enjoy all season long.