I'm in the same boat, lots of growth, no blooms. Hope someone answers.

I grow Gaillardia each year and it flowers in its second year here. I am in Zone 5 (Canada) and although it is classified as a perennial, I treat it as a biennial because most years it does not survive the second winter. Strangely enough, one of my plants from last year survived. It usually puts on a fine show but we have had a drought this summer and nothing has done well.

I planted out a couple dozen mixed gaillardia grandifloras and aristatas that I winter sowed. One was blooming by the end of May, A few waited until June or July and I have several that still haven't bloomed and don't look like they're going to anytime soon.
I don't expect all of them to come back next year but I hope most of them do, especially the ones that haven't bloomed yet.

I planted two gaillardias last year that were in 4" pots when I bought them. One came back and one didn't. Both were planted in the same area so it didn't make much sense that only one would come back but I guess that's better than none.

I WSow gaillardia most years, and they always bloom in the first year. This year, nothing. It's just too hot and too dry for anything to thrive.

So far, mine are alive, but that's all I can say.

Karen

I have apricot, red and yellow that I planted inside in early april and planted out in mid may, 80% are blooming. I did the same with arizona sun last year, about 1 in 4 over wintered but the plants that did not make it self sowed, so I actually have more than I planted. I am in Zone 5 Eastern Washington. My hope is that the apricot and yellow also self sow true to form I really like them, the reds are very similar to arizona sun. I should mention that the self sown plants are larger and not as compact.

Gale

Waaay down here in Okla my WS gaillardia have been blooming for a few months. They germinated in Feb (I think), so that does give them a big headstart.

You might research them, I almost think they are one of those plants that dont bloom well with too much water and fertilizer. They may need a little neglect.

BTW Im from Kingston.