Blanketflower - Gaillardia Aristata

Approximate seeds per pound: 131,995
Seeding rate: Plant Gaillardia wildflower seed at 3 pounds per acre
Height: Up to 3 ft.
Flower Color: The famous red and yellow "pinwheel" look
Plant Type: Perennial. Returns each spring from same roots, forming expanding clump. Blooms second spring from seed.
Flower Type: Daisy-like
Bloom Time: Early summer to fall
Is Gaillardia wildflower invasive? No
Is Gaillardia wildflower endangered? No
Is Gaillardia wildflower edible? No
Is Gaillardia wildflower medicinal? Yes
Regions: Native to plains regions, but can be grown in all regions.
Zones: 3 -10
Soil preference: Hot, dry, sandy conditions are best, but this species is adaptable.
Sun/Shade: Full sun
Moisture Requirements: Average to dry
Germination: 15 - 45 days
Optimum Soil Temp. for Germination: 70F - 75F
Sowing Depth: Plant gaillarida wildflower seed at 1/8" depth

Blanket flower is a type of Gaillardia wildflower, but can be found in gardens as ornamentals. Blanket flower is a perennial wildflower with large, daisy-like blooms that has a tap root. Drought tolerant blanket flowers are easy to grow. To many people, they are wildflowers. To others, they are a part of a butterfly garden, or bright additions to the middle of a mixed wildflower seed garden. This type of gaillardia has big, long-lasting blooms which grow up to 4 inches across. Bi-colored flowers include orange, red, and yellow. Flowers bloom from early summer to fall, if spent blooms are deadheaded. Blanket flowers are great in or along fields, and in butterfly gardens. They also make a good cut vlower.

Blanket flowers are grown from easily from wildflower seeds. They can be directly seeded into your wildflower garden, or seeded indoors for transplanting later. If you live in a warmer climate, you can plant them in the fall, and they will likely bloom the first spring. For colder areas, expect a bloom in the second spring. Plant blanket flower wildflower seeds early in the season and cover lightly with 1/8" of fine garden or potting soil. Or, broadcast spread them over an area, and lightly rake the seed into the soil.

Gaillardia blanket flowers should be spaced approximately 14 to 16 inches apart or thin as needed to achieve this type of spacing. They will tolerate a little crowding, but perform best with ample space. This perennial wildflower will bloom the second year and every year after the initial planting. Grows in all regions of North America and will bloom during summer and fall. Blanket flower loves hot, dry sandy conditions which makes it very drought tolerant. May be planted in spring, summer, or fall as long as their is moisture to allow blanket flower wildflower seed to germinate.

Gaillardia blanket flowers are very easy to grow from wildflower seed. The like full sun and prefer loose soil that drains well. Add a general purpose fertilizer when planting them, and then a low nitrogen fertilizer after that. You don't want to much nitrogen or you just cause excessing foliage growth. Use something like a 5-10-10 fertilizer. Once your Blanketflower are established, they should grow well with few problems. They will grow on their own with little care or attention. These drought tolerant plants seldom need to be watered. They will do well in mid-summer's heat.