Gaillardia pulchella (Blanket flower, Indian blanket)

Gaillardia pulchella Photo/Illustration: Courtesy of Bob Cook

(Based on 2 user reviews)

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Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Botanical Name: Gaillardia pulchella gay-LARD-ee-ah pull-KEL-lah Common Name: Blanket flower, Indian blanket Genus: Gaillardia
Blanket flower is a bushy annual that produces red or yellow (or red and yellow) flowers over a long season. The blooms are daisy-shaped with a dark purple central disk. Growing to about 18 inches tall, this native of central and southern U.S. and Mexico is nice in a meadow, cut flower garden, border, or rock garden.
Noteworthy characteristics: Colorful flowers all summer long. U.S. native. Good cut flower.
Care: Grow in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. Gaillardia tolerates poor soil. Deadhead consistently, but leave some seedheads for the birds.
Propagation: Start seeds indoors in early spring at 55° to 64°F or sow directly in the garden in late spring or early summer.
Problems: Watch for aphids, thrips, slugs and snails. Plants may rot in poorly drained soils, and they are prone to mildews, rust, white smut, and leaf spots as well.
Height 1 ft. to 3 ft.
Spread 6 in. to 12 in.
Growth Habit Clumps
Growth Pace Moderate Grower
Light Full Sun Only
Moisture Medium Moisture
Maintenance Moderate
Characteristics Attracts Birds; Attracts Butterflies; Native; Showy Flowers
Bloom Time Early Fall; Early Summer; Fall; Late Summer; Summer
Flower Color Red Flower; Yellow Flower
Uses Beds and Borders, Cut Flower
Style Meadow Garden, Rock Garden
Seasonal Interest Summer Interest, Fall Interest
Type Annuals

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