Meredith,
You have some very valid points and I too am not sure about some of the new plants coming out. You sure do paint a bleak picture of our environment although much of it may be true or not. Many things contribute to the decline of bees and birds. We could get in a debate about many of your concerns. However, my intention in writing this article was not to start a debate on environmental issues just showing a new plant on the market. All of this is my own time consuming observations and pictures.
I did say will we love it or not so I guess your vote is a not. Yes, it does look like a Gaillardia as do the other flowers in the asteraceace family with over 20,000 species within that family.
