Gaillardia 'Spintop Orange Halo'

Gaillardia 'Spintop Orange Halo': A Ring of Fire in Bloom
Vivid and energetic, Gaillardia 'Spintop Orange Halo' blazes through the garden with eye-catching, bi-colour blooms that feature a fiery orange centre ringed by golden-yellow tips. Like the glowing rim of a setting sun, each flower radiates warmth and joy—set atop a compact, rounded mound of grey-green foliage. This heat-tolerant, pollinator-friendly blanket flower is part of the Spintop series, bred for uniform growth, long bloom time, and effortless colour in even the driest, sunniest spots.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 20–25 cm
• Spread: 25–30 cm, forming a tidy, rounded clump
• Flower Colour: Bright orange petals with golden-yellow tips and a reddish-orange centre cone
• Flowering Period: Early summer to early autumn
• Foliage: Grey-green, lance-shaped leaves in a compact basal rosette
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy or average soil; drought-tolerant once established

Uses and Benefits: Gaillardia 'Spintop Orange Halo' is perfect for low-maintenance, high-impact plantings in full sun. Its compact habit suits edging, containers, rock gardens, and small-space landscapes, while its long bloom period provides continuous colour and pollinator support. The vibrant flowers attract bees and butterflies, and the plant’s tolerance for heat, drought, and poor soils makes it a go-to for xeriscaping and summer colour where other plants might fade.

Companion Plants: Pair Gaillardia 'Spintop Orange Halo' with Sedum 'Coral Carpet', whose low-growing, rusty-red foliage enhances Halo’s orange glow and thrives in the same dry conditions. Add Coreopsis 'Hot Paprika', whose deep red blooms intensify the heat of the colour palette while drawing in pollinators. Finish with Festuca 'Elijah Blue', whose cool, icy blades balance the fire with structure and soothing contrast.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Water to establish, then sparingly—this plant prefers dry conditions and dislikes overly rich or wet soils. Deadhead regularly for continued bloom or leave late-season seed heads for winter interest and wildlife. Cut back in early spring and divide every 2–3 years to maintain vigour and form.

History: Gaillardia 'Spintop Orange Halo' is part of the compact Spintop series, developed for small gardens, containers, and tough growing conditions. Its parentage traces back to Gaillardia aristata, a hardy prairie native known for thriving in heat and drought. This modern cultivar brings that rugged reliability into a more refined, garden-ready package—without sacrificing the wild beauty.

Final Thoughts: Bold and brilliant, Gaillardia 'Spintop Orange Halo' delivers the warm hues of summer in a pint-sized powerhouse. With its flaming petals, compact form, and resilience to the elements, it brings cheer, colour, and pollinator life to even the hottest corners of the garden. A ring of fire that never burns out.