How to Grow Gaillardia - Blanket-Flower

Gaillardias are short-lived perennials and annuals grown for their long-lasting brightly colored daisy-like flowers that appear from summer into early fall. Gaillardias bear single and double flowers in shades of red, red-orange, maroon, and yellow.

There are about 30 species of Gaillardias. They are native to central and western North America. Most Gaillardias grown in gardens are hybrids developed to bear large blooms, 3 to 5 inches (7.6-12cm) wide.

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Gaillardias are members of the Aster family. They bear rosettes of hairy leaves topped by single or double daisy-like flowers. Perennial Gaillardias commonly live for three to five years.

Gaillardias are easy to grow from seed. They are a colorful choice for borders and cutting. They often reseed.

Blanket flower, Gaillardia x grandiflora — Blanket flower, *Gaillardia* x grandiflora

Table of Contents

Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Overview

Gaillardia, commonly known as Blanket Flower, is a cheerful, sun-loving perennial (or annual, depending on the variety) known for its daisy-like flowers in fiery shades of red, orange, and yellow. Its blooms often feature a blend of these colors, resembling the vivid patterns of Native American blankets—hence the name. Gaillardia is native to North and South America and thrives in hot, dry climates, making it a popular choice for drought-tolerant gardens.

These hardy plants are typically compact, growing to heights of 12–24 inches, with a similar spread. They are long-blooming, flowering from late spring to early autumn, and are loved by pollinators like bees and butterflies.

Eight Ways to Use Gaillardia in the Garden

Borders and Edging
- Gaillardia is perfect for the front of sunny borders, where its bright blooms add color and texture.
- Use it as an edging plant along garden paths or walkways for a vibrant display.
Pollinator and Wildlife Gardens
- Blanket Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and even hummingbirds. Plant them in pollinator-friendly gardens alongside other nectar-rich plants like salvia and echinacea.
Rock Gardens
- Their ability to thrive in poor, sandy soils makes them excellent for rock gardens. Combine them with succulents, ornamental grasses, or creeping sedums.
Cutting Gardens
- Gaillardia makes excellent cut flowers for informal arrangements. Regularly harvesting blooms also encourages the plant to produce more flowers.
Containers and Raised Beds
- Compact varieties of Gaillardia work well in containers, adding a splash of color to patios, balconies, or small spaces.
- Raised beds provide the well-drained soil conditions that Gaillardia loves.
Cottage Gardens
- Their informal, cheerful blooms fit beautifully in cottage gardens. Combine them with hollyhocks, daisies, or coreopsis for a relaxed, whimsical look.
Meadow and Prairie Plantings
- Gaillardia’s vibrant flowers are ideal for naturalized or wildflower gardens. Pair them with grasses and other drought-tolerant plants like black-eyed Susans and liatris.
Low-Maintenance Gardens
- Since Gaillardia thrives in poor soils and requires little care, it’s perfect for xeriscaping or low-maintenance garden designs.

Design Ideas with Gaillardia

Colorful Contrasts
- Pair Gaillardia’s warm-toned flowers with blue or purple blooms, such as lavender, Russian sage, or agapanthus, for a striking contrast.
Sunset-Themed Gardens
- Use Gaillardia alongside plants like orange marigolds, golden rudbeckia, and scarlet zinnias to create a “sunset” color scheme.
Mass Planting for Impact
- Plant Gaillardia in large drifts or clusters to create a bold, eye-catching display of fiery color in a sunny area.
Wildflower Combinations
- Combine Blanket Flowers with plants like coneflowers, yarrow, and lupines for a vibrant wildflower meadow.
Container Mixes
- Mix Gaillardia with trailing plants like calibrachoa or sweet potato vine in containers for a layered effect.
Seasonal Highlights
- Use Gaillardia as a focal point in summer and fall gardens, where its long-lasting blooms provide consistent color.

Quick Care Tips for Gaillardia

Light: Thrives in full sun but tolerates light shade in hotter climates.
Soil: Prefers well-drained, sandy or poor soils. Avoid heavy clay or overly rich soil, as these can cause leggy growth.
Watering: Drought-tolerant once established. Water sparingly and avoid waterlogged conditions.
Deadheading: Regularly remove spent blooms to prolong flowering.
Fertilizing: Typically does not require fertilizer. Over-fertilizing can reduce flowering.
Pruning: Cut plants back by about one-third in late summer to encourage fresh blooms.
Pests and Diseases: Gaillardia is generally pest-free but may occasionally encounter mildew or fungal issues in overly humid conditions. Ensure good air circulation.
Propagation: Divide clumps every 2–3 years in spring or collect seeds in autumn for replanting.

Seasonal Notes

Gaillardia is a summer-blooming plant that often continues into fall with regular deadheading.
In colder climates, it may need winter mulch for protection, but many varieties are hardy perennials.

Get to know Gaillardia

Plant type: Annuals and perennials
Growing Zones and range: Zones 2 to 10
Hardiness: Hardy to -35°F (-37°C); thrives in hot, warm, or cold climates
Height and width: 10 to 36 inches (25-91cm) tall; 10 to 24 inches (25-61cm) wide, depending on the variety
Foliage: Toothed or lobed slightly hairy leaves from basal rosettes
Flowers: Daisylike, disk florets flowers
Flower colors: Red, orange, yellow, and bicolors; double and semi-double blooms
Bloom time: Summer through frost
Uses: Beds, borders, wildflower gardens, and containers; seaside gardens (salt-tolerant), hillsides, raised beds, parking areas, sunny walkways, patios, and bare and dry spots (drought-tolerant)
Common name: Blanket Flower, gaillardia
Botanical name: Gaillardia spp.
Family: Asteraceae
Origin: North America

Where to plant Gaillardia

Plant Gaillardia in full sun—tolerates heat and drought.
Gaillardia grows best in average well-drained soil; poor, dry, and sandy soil is not a problem. Blanket flower prefers drier soil.
Soil too rich will cause plants to be floppy.
Gaillardia is drought and salt-tolerant.
Gaillardia prefers a soil pH of 6.1 to 6.5.

Gaillardia uses and companions

Mass Gaillardia for a colorful effect.
Use Gaillardia in a cottage and informal gardens.
Gaillardia can be included in wildflower plantings.
Gaillardia is best matched with other hot-colored flowers.
Good garden companions for Gaillardia are Achillea, Coreopsis, Hemerocallis, Linum, Solidago, and ornamental grasses.

When to plant Gaillardia

Plant Gaillardia in spring; perennial varieties can be planted in fall.
Sow seeds of annual Gaillardias indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in spring.
Sow seed outdoors after the last frost. Gaillardia is easy to grow from seed.
Set container-grown Gaillardia in the garden in spring and autumn.

Blanket flower, Gaillardia aristata — Blanket flower, *Gaillardia aristata*

Planting and spacing Gaillardia

Sow seed indoors 1/8 inch deep in sterile seed starting mix or potting soil. Light aids germination, so gently press the seeds into the soil surface.
Sow seed outdoors in evenly prepared soil.
Space Gaillardia 1 to 2 feet (30-61cm) apart.

How to water and feed Gaillardia

Water Gaillardia until the soil is deeply moist, then allow the soil to dry before watering again. Allow the soil to dry between watering.
Established plants can tolerate dry soil.
Fertilize Gaillardia lightly if at all. Use an all-purpose fertilizer.

Blanket flower, Gaillardia pulchella — Blanket flower, *Gaillardia pulchella*

Gaillardia care

Trim Gaillardia spent blooms to keep the plant blooming.
Taller plants may need staking.
Gaillardia easily re-seeds itself so remove plants you don’t want.

Gaillardia pests and diseases

Gaillardia is prone to powdery mildew and leafhoppers.
Gaillardia is susceptible to crown rot in wet conditions.
Downy mildew may attack the undersides of leaves causing them to turn yellow.

Gaillardia propagation

Propagate Gaillardia by seed (see above), division, or stem cuttings taken in early summer.
Seeds germinate in 14 to 21 days at 55°-64°F (13°-18°C).
Propagate by rooting cuttings taken in winter. Grow cuttings in a cold frame before planting them in the open garden in spring.
Divide perennial Gaillardia every 2 to 3 years in early spring.

Gaillardia varieties to grow

G. aristata, blanket flower: Perennial wildflowers can grow to 30 inches (76cm) tall and spread to 24 inches wide; 4-inch-wide flowers with red-orange centers and yellow petals with lobes at the tips; blooms summer to fall.
G. x grandiflora, blanket flower: Short-loved perennial to grow in Zones 2-10; grows 24 to 36 inches (60-91cm) tall; 3 to 5 inch wide flowers in a combination of reds, Maroon,s oranges, and y3llo2w from early summer to fall; dwarf cultivars grow 8 to 16 inches (20-40cm) tall.
G. pulchella, blanket flower: Annual grows to 18 inches (45cm) tall; bears red, yellow, or red and yellow daisylike flowers to 2 inches wide with purple-black centers from summer to fall; grows in Zones 2-11. ‘Red Plume’ is an All-America Selection with dwarf habit and extended bloom time; ‘Yellow Sun’ produces dense mounds of foliage and bright yellow flowers.