Gaillardia ‘Apricot Honey’ — Ahead of Its Time

Some plants make a splash and go on to become household names. Others take a quieter path. Gaillardia 'Apricot Honey' is firmly in the second camp — but its moment may finally be arriving.

About Gaillardia — The Blanket Flower

Gaillardia, commonly known as the Blanket Flower, belongs to the daisy family (Compositae, also known as Asteraceae) and contains around 28 species found across North America and temperate South America. They are plants of dry woods and prairies — the central United States and Mexico in particular — which explains their remarkable tolerance of heat and drought in cultivation.

The genus includes annuals, biennials and perennials, typically growing to around 1m, with mostly basal leaves that are toothed or lobed. Many of the garden cultivars we grow are based on Gaillardia × grandiflora, a hybrid derived from various North American species, ranging in colour from yellow through to orange and deep red. The flowers are the classic large, bicoloured daisy, and they last well when cut — a bonus that is often overlooked. One characteristic that gardeners often notice: after flowering, the spent flowerheads take on a distinctive reflexed, slightly domed appearance as they go to seed — a useful reminder that deadheading regularly will keep the display going.

It Started with a Chance Seedling

In 2002, Rosy spotted something unusual among the plants at the nursery in Hampshire. A chance seedling — its mother Gaillardia × grandiflora 'Dazzler', its father unknown — had produced flowers unlike anything seen before in the genus: a peach and orange centre with bright yellow petal tips. The RHS Encyclopedia of Perennials would later describe it as "an important colour break."

Gaillardia 'Oranges and Lemons' — The Chance Seedling That Changed Everything

Originally named 'St Clements' — a nod to the nursery rhyme "Oranges and lemons, say the bells of St Clement's" — reflecting the plant's distinctive citrus colouring, the name was changed prior to its release at RHS Chelsea in 2004 with a view to accommodating the important American market, where the St Clements reference meant little. 'Oranges and Lemons' is the name by which it is now most widely known. It was recognised internationally when a US Plant Patent was granted in 2006. Growing to around 45–60cm in height and spread, it had already sold nearly three million units worldwide by the time 'Apricot Honey' was launched in 2018 — a remarkable figure that speaks to just how significant that chance discovery was. It's widely believed that 'St Clements' gave rise to many of the warm-toned Gaillardia cultivars we see across the market today. A chance seedling that changed the direction of a genus.

The Deliberate Follow-Up

Inspired by what 'St Clements' had shown was possible, Rosy set to work on something new. She had been growing and trialling Gaillardias, assessing many seedling-raised plants and rejecting those that didn't meet her exacting standards, before one finally stood out: a softer, more refined apricot tone with a neat, compact habit that set it apart from everything else. Once selected, she spent two years propagating and trialling it to be certain it would perform consistently before committing to a launch. The result was Gaillardia 'Apricot Honey' ™, launched at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2018 and protected at the time of release by EU Trademark E017914237 — a mark of the confidence Hardy's had in the variety. That trademark protection has since lapsed, but the plant's qualities speak for themselves.

On paper, it had everything going for it. More compact than 'Oranges and Lemons' at 55cm, with a neat, bushy, upright habit, soft orange flowers of 6cm diameter, and — in 2018 — a very fashionable colour. It was selected as an improvement on its parent in every practical sense: tidier, richer in colour, and equally at home in a border or a patio container. The expectation was that it would build on the extraordinary success of 'Oranges and Lemons'. In practice, it hasn't quite worked out that way. We'll be honest: we're one of the few nurseries still growing it. But we've kept faith with it, because we believe the gardening world is finally catching up.

Why Now?

Gaillardias are having a renaissance. Summers are hotter and drier, gardeners are rethinking what they grow, and the qualities that make 'Apricot Honey' special — exceptional drought tolerance, a long flowering season from early summer right through to autumn, and real pulling power for bees and butterflies — are exactly what people are looking for. This is a plant that was bred for the conditions we're now gardening in.

Growing 'Apricot Honey'

Give it a warm, sunny spot and a well-drained soil and it will ask very little of you in return. Once established it handles dry spells with ease — ideal for gravel gardens, south-facing borders, or anywhere the soil tends to bake in summer. It tolerates heat, humidity and even poor soils, though it may struggle in heavy clay. Its neat, bushy habit makes it equally well suited to a large container on a sunny terrace.

A word of honesty: 'Apricot Honey' is classed as a short-lived perennial, typically giving its best for two to three years. But what years they are. Few plants work harder — flowering relentlessly from early summer to autumn, shrugging off drought, and feeding pollinators throughout. If you treat it well and deadhead regularly, it will more than earn its place. Cutting back to basal growth if plants become leggy mid-season will help extend their vigour. Cut back hard in autumn or early spring to encourage fresh growth the following year.

Without 'St Clements', there would be no 'Apricot Honey'. And without Rosy's eye for something special in a chance seedling back in 2002, neither would exist. We think that's a story worth telling — and we think 'Apricot Honey' is a plant worth growing.

Gaillardia 'Apricot Honey' — Height: 55cm | Flower: soft orange, 6cm diameter | Full sun | Well-drained soil | 100% peat free
Gaillardia 'St Clements' / 'Oranges and Lemons' — Height x Spread: 45–60cm x 45–60cm

Buy Gaillardia 'Apricot Honey'

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gaillardia 'Apricot Honey' fully hardy?
Yes. Gaillardia has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most places throughout the UK, even in severe winters down to -15°C. It is a reliable, fully hardy herbaceous perennial.

How long does Gaillardia 'Apricot Honey' flower?
It has a long flowering season running from early summer right through to autumn — one of its greatest strengths.

Is Gaillardia 'Apricot Honey' a short-lived perennial?
Yes — 'Apricot Honey' is classed as a short-lived perennial, typically performing at its best for two to three years. However, it is exceptionally hard working during that time, flowering prolifically from early summer to autumn with minimal fuss. Well worth growing.

Is Gaillardia drought tolerant?
Yes. Once established, Gaillardia 'Apricot Honey' handles dry spells well, making it an excellent choice for gravel gardens and south-facing borders.

Is Gaillardia good for pollinators?
Very much so. The flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies throughout the season.

Can I grow Gaillardia 'Apricot Honey' in a container?
Yes — its compact, bushy habit makes it well suited to large containers on a sunny terrace or patio.

When should I cut back Gaillardia?
Deadhead regularly during the season to encourage continued flowering. If plants become leggy, cut back to basal growth to rejuvenate them. Cut back hard in autumn or early spring.

Are Gaillardia good as cut flowers?
Yes — the flowers last well when cut, making them a lovely addition to summer arrangements as well as the border.

What is Gaillardia 'Oranges and Lemons'?
Gaillardia 'Oranges and Lemons' was originally named 'St Clements' by Rosy Hardy — a nod to the nursery rhyme "Oranges and lemons, say the bells of St Clement's" — reflecting the plant's citrus colouring. The name was changed prior to its release at RHS Chelsea in 2004 to accommodate the American market, where the St Clements reference was unfamiliar. Described by the RHS Encyclopedia of Perennials as "an important colour break", it had sold nearly three million units worldwide by the time 'Apricot Honey' launched in 2018, and is widely credited with inspiring many of the warm-toned Gaillardia varieties available today.

Where was Gaillardia 'Apricot Honey' launched?
It was launched at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2018, following a careful selection and trialling process by Rosy Hardy. Many seedling-raised plants were grown and assessed before 'Apricot Honey' was selected, after which Rosy spent two years propagating and trialling it before launch.