I wintersow gaillardia. Even wintersown they bloom the first year.
They're short-lived for me in my clay soil, too, usually only lasting a couple of years. Goblins are my favorite. They stay a short, neat mound throughout their lives.Taller ones always get knocked down by storms here. This is a wintersown one in June.
Same one July 4th
Propagation tip: With a knife, cut into the root ball in fall. Make several cuts radially, like spokes of a bicycle tire, around the plant. In spring, new little plants pop up around the plant.
Karen