Here is a perennal for our pollunators. Gaillarde

image from snhf.org

image from freepik 

Good morning, as I am writing this at 8:40 AM we have a clear blue sky but wait the temperature is cool at 29F but we have a NW wind a 13 mph, so it feels like 18. Cooler today with only a high of 42F because of the cold front that passed through.  For me in the greenhouse, it is a clear sky so the sun will warm the greenhouse up nicely.  Stay warm, stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for March 28 Saturday will have clear skies and a high of 67F(19C)  They had rain, and it was humid but now that has lessened with the rain.  Stay cool, I think maybe stay warm.  And stay safe. 
 
I am highlighting one perennial for the pollinators.  It is Gaillardia or blanket flower.  I will have them here from Swift’s Greenhouse as perennial.  As you read, it is easy to grow, and they are zonal for us to come back.  The question I will ask, if you have grown these how do they come back?  Let us know. 
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Looking for a flower that delivers nonstop color and attracts pollinators without demanding much in return? Meet the blanket flower (Gaillardia). With their daisy-like petals painted in fiery shades of red, orange, and gold, these native wildflowers live up to their name by blanketing garden beds in sunset hues throughout summer and fall. Tough and resilient, they thrive in poor soil, laugh off heat and drought, and invite bees, butterflies, and even goldfinches to the party. Learn how to grow these natural beauties.
They are native to much of North America and can be found as wildflowers in prairie habitats. While originating in the western states and the Great Plains, blanket flowers are cold-hardy to USDA Zones 3 to 9 and are excellent for dry, hot gardens as they don’t need much water.
Most Gaillardia varieties are both annual and perennial types. Gaillardia pulchella is a relatively common annual, and G. aristata is a short-lived perennial. The most common type in home gardens is G. x grandiflora, which tends to be a short-lived perennial in most regions.
Gaillardia blooms in early summer and keeps flowering profusely all summer long. In autumn, the flowers—if not deadheaded—become golfball-shaped seed heads favored by goldfinches. They are a favorite of bees and other pollinators and are often visited by butterflies.
They are moderately deer-resistant or, at least, get nibbled less often than most other plants. Most Gaillardia are cold hardy and will survive to –20°F with mulching in cold winters. Once established, these native wildflowers require very little care.
When to Plant Gaillardia
Small plants purchased from the garden center can be hardened off and planted outside once the frosts are finished in spring.
Warm-climate gardeners can also plant perennial blanket flowers by seed in fall. Wait to sow outdoors until the soil has warmed enough to plant sweet corn and tomatoes. Like many perennials, some Gaillardia planted from seed will not flower the first year, while other varieties will.
Where to Plant Blanket Flowers
Blanket flowers thrive in sun. They aren’t picky about pH and will do well in dry, less fertile conditions but can’t handle wet sites. Excellent drainage is the most crucial factor when considering soil. Gaillardia doesn’t spread by vegetative means but often self-seeds to fill an area.
How to Grow Gaillardia
Deadheading blanket flowers will help encourage further blooms. If in a container on the deck, nip off spent blooms at the first leaf node weekly. For larger plantings in the garden, use hedge shears to give them a quick haircut and deadhead many spent blooms at once. Otherwise, leave flowers to become seedheads for an autumn bird attraction.
As most Gaillardia varieties are cold-hardy to USDA Zones 3–9 or 4–9, leave the old growth intact over winter to provide insect habitat. Then prune them down to about 2–3 inches above ground in early spring. If you live in the colder regions of their area, a 3–4 inch thick layer of mulch in late fall can help with overwintering. Remove the mulch in spring and apply a fresh, non-soggy layer.
Taken from https://www.almanac.com/plant/blanket-flowers-gaillardia
Till next time this is Becky Litterer, Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse