5903 Swepsonville Saxapahaw Rd.

Saxapahaw, NC

Flower of Carolina

  • Product Info

    Winkler's Blanketflower (Gaillardia aestivalis var. winkleri)
    Aster Family

    Gaillardia aestivalis var. winkleri is a rare and endemic Texas native, typically recognized for its white ray flowers and subtle beauty. However, this special seed strain has striking pink to lavender-purple petals—an uncommon and naturally occurring variation. While the standard winkleri form is already uncommon in cultivation, this pink/purple-flowered strain is exceptionally rare in cultivation (it is NOT the common cultivar "Grape Sensation"). 

    The plant itself maintains the same delicate structure: narrow, sparse foliage and tall, slender stems that support its vibrant blooms. Ideal for sandy soils and full sun, it thrives in prairie gardens, pollinator patches, and conservation plantings. This long-blooming wildflower is a magnet for native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Its deep taproot helps it withstand heat and poor soils, and it readily naturalizes in open, disturbed areas.


    Blooms: Pink/Purple, 8-12 weeks, July-Sept
    Leaves: Gray-green, lance-shaped leaves are rough
    Height: 1-2’ 
    Space: 1-2
    Soil: Average-Dry, tolerant of sandy soil
    Exposure:  Full sun-Part sun
    Fauna: Excellent pollinator plant, especially for late season nectar
    Seeds:  Hairy achenes are wind dispersed
    Deer Resistance: High
    Zone: 8-10
    Native Status: TX Endemic
    Provenance: TX, seed grown