They are beautiful J. If they don't overwinter I will just start from seed again next year as if they were an annual, they bloom and bloom all summer and are well worth the effort. I just love them all.

Will check out Swallowtail Seeds and book mark the site. Thanks!

oh you guys, I have never even thought about saving the seeds to gaillardia because mine do come back reliably. I'll mark this thread and remember to deadhead and label the seeds and you'll all be welcome to them. A nursery near me had every gaillardia you can imagine on sale because they had filled the 1 gallon pots and were wilting.
Amber Wheels and Summers Kiss were most impressive.
We don't get much snow in winter but most of my plants are in a heavy clay area with full sun. I'll try to post pics later.

Good idea about saving seeds! I could do that on my Arizona Sun. I wonder if it is like collecting seeds from cones?

It's easier than coneflower seeds. The center part is like a crumbly ball of seeds. They will fall apart in your hand. You don't have to force them out at all. They just fall apart easily.

Thanks for the information! I will be saving all mine. Maybe we can have a small seed swap this winter!

Ok. I have some fresh seeds I ordered of 'Amber Wheels.'

Ok, I should have some in fall, from Oranges and Lemons and Moxie.

In the past, my saved seeds didn't come true to the parent.

Karen

Your right Karen! Hybrid seeds. What did you get when you planted them?

Re: west coast slugs, I lived in the bay area for a few years after school. I was used to seeing your basic little northeast garden slug so when I picked up what I thought was a dead leaf, (and the sucker flexed) lets just say my reaction couldn't be described as exactly manly!

Well we have slugs here and snails. They just love the cool moist environment.

They love a warm moist environment also, and Hostas.

I am going to try saving seeds this year in case they don't come back next year even if they are not the same at least there should be something blooming.

I was also wondering about crosses. For those of you who grow multiple varieties and you let them reseed- are they crossing? What are your seedling results?

just different. goblin was the same color, just taller, bigger, floppy. burgundy produced the regular orange/yellow flowers of other types.

please excuse my typing. i fell and hurt my right hand. i'm pecking with left hand.

karen

Hope you feel better soon.

I'm sorry about your hand

Another nice thing about my yellow Gaillardia is after the petals fall off, the seed pods are yellow and look like some sort of yellow Allium.