Well, they don't like wet/moist winters..and that's in the SE. Not sure what being buried in snow will do to them.

I've never been able to keep them alive, even in a raised bed. Our late winters/springs tend to be pretty wet here.

I had them for years; finally got tired of deadheading them and got rid of them. Mine were in full sun and I'm 35 miles SW of Chicago.

So I think the take-away message is your mileage may vary.

Over the years, have planted quite a number of different Gaillardia cultivars, in full sun, on the edge of mixed perennial beds. Very few, however, survived more than a few years.

The one very notable exception was Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Goblin' which, in one garden, reseeded itself over a period of more than ten years. It was in a very sunny, but quite neglected location, just within range of the sprinkler system, but in a rapidly draining spot.

Am assuming that the clump had little winter protection.

I used to have them. My guess is they like alkaline soil, and mine very much appreciated being divided often.

Ditto Sunnyborders’ experience with ‘Goblin.’ ‘Burgundy’ also did well for me, but reseeds were rarely true. I no longer have either. For some reason, even though I liked them, I never fully trusted them.

Re: madgallica’s alkaline soil comment—I have alkaline soil, and I suspect Sunnyborders does, too.

Re our soil: as you say Dwiggins7aidaho.

It took 2 tries but we finally had this blanket flower come back in Zone 5b after a terrible winter. Don't know the variety off the top of my head but can find the tag if anyone is interested. To me this is a great perennial, colorful and blooms reliably from early July through September.

Not to be a kill joy, just don't expect it to be there after this winter. They're short lived perennials. The good news is that offspring may carry on the show though;)

I frequently plant seedlings of gaillardia in my full sun bed. I have to agree with the others, they never last very long. Perhaps a few years at most.

That's a bummer. If I don't deadhead any chance they'll reseed?

I get offspring too but I have had the same G. 'Goblin' for many years.

I have found all others to be short lived.

I've had many. Bought my first, which I believe was also a Goblin...and it's still coming back from 2014. Love them for their blooming power all summer into fall....two years ago went out and bought 7 plants, as I'd had just good luck with the first. None of them came back that winter. Variety?? Not sure what the difference was. They were planted several places. I have grown some of the puchella/annual varieties. I really think it depends alot on site, the winter, and more....I hope yours survives, but take some seeds in case :D