Thesefast-growing plantsmature to 24 inches tall with a 20-inch spread.
Gaillardias are suchlong-blooming perennialsthat they work equally well in borders and containers.
Blanket flowers do well with other heat-loving plants that thrive in full sun.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
The plant is fully hardy in USDA Zones 3 to 10.
The blanket flower is slightly toxic to humans.
Blanket Flower Care
Here are the main care requirements for growing blanket flowers.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Planting
Put blanket flowers in a hot, sunny spot in the spring after the last frost.
Plant seedlings about a foot apart or simply scatter seeds on raked soil.
Light
Give blanket flowers a space withfull sunwhere they thrive best.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Soil
Do not amend the soil with rich matter because blanket flowers prefer poor soil.
The plant is not particular aboutsoil pH,but it does need well-draining soil.
It will grow in somewhat moist conditions, but heavy clay soil will probably kill it.
The Spruce / Autumn Wood
Once established, gaillardia is extremely drought tolerant.
Temperature and Humidity
The blanket flower can survive hot temperatures, even in full sun.
Fertilizer
Go easy or avoid fertilizing blanket flowers.
Poor soils seem to encourage more flowering than rich soils.
Pruning Tip
No pruners?
Take these steps to sow seeds outdoors.
Take these steps to sow seeds indoors:
Is This the Right Plant for You?
Fill a large container with a loose and well-draining potting mix.
Overwintering
In cooler climates, protect your overwintering blanket flowers with a thick layer ofmulch.
They will not recover and the disease can continue to spread.
Aster yellows are spread by leaf-hoppers andaphids.
What do Blanket Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Blanket flowers have daisy-like petals with bright hues that look like a tapestry of color.
The flowers and foliage may be somewhat fragrant, with a more spicy than sweet scent.
Blanket flowers in the shade will not flower very well.
However, watch for these signs of problems.
Legginess
Leggy blanket flowers are probably growing in too much shade.
Dig them up and transplant them to a sunnier spot.
Though blanket flowers reseed themselves, they are not invasive and can be easily pulled up from unwanted places.
Yes, blanket flowers bloom from early summer through the fall for long-lasting color.
For more contrast, plant them with spiky plants likeKniphofia,Crocosmia,or daylilies.
‘Burgundy’ contrasts well withblue flowers, likeSalviaandVeronica.
Gaillardia also attract hummingbirds and bees.
Gaillardia Blanket Flowers.Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California.
Aster Yellows.Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Plant Disease Handbook.
Aster Leafhopper.University of Wisconsin-Madison Vegetable Crop Entomology.
