Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)

Why Should I Grow Blanket Flowers?

Growing Blanket Flowers can bring numerous benefits to your garden and landscape. Here are several reasons why you should consider growing them:

• Vibrant Colors: The bright red and yellow blooms of Gaillardia add a splash of warm color to any garden, making them a great choice for brightening up your landscape.
• Long Blooming Period: Gaillardia bloom from early summer until fall, providing color in your garden for several months. This long blooming period makes them an excellent choice for consistent visual interest.
• Drought Tolerance: Gaillardia are extremely drought-tolerant once established, making them an ideal plant for xeriscaping or areas with water restrictions.
• Low Maintenance: These plants require minimal care once established. They can thrive in poor, rocky soils and require little to no fertilization.
• Attract Pollinators: The vibrant blooms of Gaillardia are attractive to butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects, making them an excellent choice for a pollinator garden.
• Deer and Rabbit Resistant: Deer and rabbits tend to avoid Gaillardia, which can be a major plus if these animals are common in your area.
• Great for Cut Flowers: The long-lasting, bright flowers make great additions to summer bouquets.
• Versatility: Gaillardia can be used in a variety of garden settings, from borders and rock gardens to containers and ground cover plantings.

Garden Design with Blanket Flowers

Designing a garden with Gaillardia, also known as Blanket Flowers, can add vibrant color and dynamic texture to your landscape. These plants are extremely versatile and work well in various design settings. Here are a few design ideas:

• Perennial Borders: Gaillardia can add color to the middle or front of your perennial borders with their bright, long-lasting blooms. Pair them with other sun-loving perennials like salvia, coreopsis, or echinacea for a continuous display of color throughout the season.
• Rock Gardens: Gaillardia thrives in well-drained soil, making it a good choice for rock gardens. Its low growing habit and bright flowers can contrast beautifully with stones and other rock garden plants like sedum or creeping thyme.
• Wildflower Meadows: Incorporate Gaillardia into a wildflower meadow or prairie-style garden. They’ll blend well with native grasses and wildflowers, creating a casual, naturalistic look.
• Pollinator Gardens: Plant Gaillardia in your pollinator garden. They are beloved by butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects. Pair them with other pollinator-friendly plants like milkweed, bee balm, or coneflowers.
• Containers: Use Gaillardia in containers for a pop of color. Combine them with other drought-tolerant plants like succulents or ornamental grasses for an easy-care container garden.
• Seaside Gardens: If you live in a coastal area, consider using Gaillardia. They are salt tolerant and can withstand the harsh conditions of seaside gardens.
• Mass Planting: For a bold visual impact, consider mass planting with Gaillardia. A large grouping of these vibrant flowers can create a stunning display.

Companion Plants

The vibrant blanket flowers can be paired with a variety of companion plants that can match or contrast with their warm hues, shape, or bloom times. Here are some companions to consider:

• Salvia: Both tall and dwarf species of Salvia share similar needs with Gaillardia and can add a lovely contrast with their cool-toned, blue or purple flowers.
• Coreopsis: Another sun-loving, drought-tolerant perennial, Coreopsis can create a beautiful harmony with Gaillardia with their similar flower shape and wide range of colors.
• Echinacea (Coneflower): Echinacea’s large daisy-like flowers and tall structure can offer a nice contrast to Gaillardia. They’re also beloved by pollinators.
• Sedum: Sedums are a perfect match in terms of sun and soil preferences, and their succulent foliage offers a great contrast in texture.
• Ornamental Grasses: Grasses like Blue Fescue or Fountain Grass can add texture and movement to the garden and look stunning next to Gaillardia.
• Yarrow (Achillea): Yarrow’s delicate, fern-like foliage and clusters of flowers offer a nice textural contrast and come in colors that complement Gaillardia.
• Russian Sage (Perovskia): With its tall stature, silvery foliage, and purple flowers, Russian sage can add depth and contrast to a planting of Gaillardia.
• Daylilies (Hemerocallis): Daylilies come in a variety of colors and can create a stunning display when planted with Gaillardia.

Remember, when choosing companion plants, it’s important to consider similar needs in terms of sun, water, and soil conditions.

Growing Tips

Growing Gaillardia (Blanket Flowers) can be an easy and rewarding experience if you follow these tips:

• Sunlight: Gaillardia thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Make sure your plants get at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
• Soil: Gaillardia prefers well-drained soil. It can tolerate poor, sandy, or rocky soils and is fairly drought-tolerant once established. However, it won’t do well in heavy, wet soils.
• Watering: While Gaillardia is drought-tolerant, it does need regular watering, especially in the first year of planting. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
• Fertilization: Gaillardia generally doesn’t require a lot of fertilization. If you want, you can apply a slow-release fertilizer in the spring, but avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can cause excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
• Pruning: Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming throughout the season. Cut back the entire plant to a few inches above the ground in the fall.
• Propagation: Gaillardia can be propagated through seeds, division, or cuttings. If propagating from seeds, sow them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date, or directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.
• Pests and Diseases: Watch for pests such as aphids and leafhoppers. Powdery mildew and root rot can occur if the plants are kept too wet or planted in heavy soil.

With these tips, your Gaillardia plants should provide vibrant color in your garden from late spring to fall.