Blanket Flowers are much-loved native wild flowers. The bi-colored flowers include orange, red, and yellow, and they bloom from early summer to fall if spent blooms are deadheaded. Gaillardias will tolerate a little crowding, but they perform best with ample space. They form a tap root making them very drought tolerant and suitable for xeriscaping.

Gaillardia seeds can be started directly outside in the spring once the frost danger has passed. Or, start the flower seeds indoors 6 - 8 weeks prior to the end of frost season.

Blanket Flower plants grow best in full sun, with light, dry, well-drained soil. Gaillardia will do best growing in the ground rather than in raised beds with rich soil and regular irrigation.

• Start Blanket Flower seeds in starter trays
• Press the seeds into the soil and just dust the seed with soil
• Keep the flower seeds moist and warm for germination
• Harden off the plants for 7 - 10 days prior to planting out
• Or, work the garden soil 6 inches in depth
• Scatter the Blanket Flower seeds on the surface and press them into the ground
• Keep the seeds moist for germination
• Thin to the strongest plant about 12 - 16 inches apart

• Even though Blanket Flower plants are drought tolerant, they will need consistent irrigation to establish
• Once established, they may develope root rot if they receive too much water
• Gaillardia plants are susceptible to some fungal diseases - cut out any infected parts of the plant to prevent it from spreading
• Deadheading is not required, but it does give them a more tidy appearance
• If blooming slows or the plants become too leggy, trim them back by one-half
• Do not fertilize Gaillardia plants