How to Grow and Care for Blanketflower
Perennial, Gaillardia Aristata, Grandiflora
Blanketflower, or Blanket Flower, is a cheerful perennial flower with large, daisy-like blooms. They are related to Sunflowers, Daisies, and Asters. They are native to central United States and Canada. Today, these popular flowers can be found all over the U.S.
Drought tolerant Blanketflowers are easy to grow. To many people, Blanketflowers are wildflowers. To others, they are a part of a butterfly garden, or bright additions to the middle of a mixed flower garden.
Blanketflower gets its name in areas where fields are filled with them.....they "blanket" the field in blooms. Other names for Blanketflowers include: Indian flower, and Firewheel.
Big, long-lasting blooms 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.
Blanketflowers are great in or along fields, and in Butterfly gardens. They are good for cuttings.
Propagation:
Blanketflower are grown from seeds. They can be directly seeded into your flower 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.
Sow Blanketflower 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 them into the soil.
Ideal plant spacing is 14" -16". Thin or transplant seedlings, if needed, when they reach 2". They will tolerate a little crowding.
How to Grow Blanketflower:
Blanketflower are very easy to grow. The like full sun. They prefer loose soil that drains well. Add a general purpose fertilizer when planting them, then once a month after that.
Once your Blanketflower are established, they should grow well with few problems. They will grow on their own with little care or attention. Just make sure to view them often to enjoy their brilliant blooms. Or, watch butterflies that are attracted to them.
While most varieties of Blanketflowers grow 2' - 3', there are some 4' varieties. Taller varieties may need staking.
These drought tolerant plants seldom need to be watered. They will do well in mid-summer's heat.
Flowers will bloom from early summer into fall. Deadhead flowers to promote continuous blooms.
Insect and Disease:
Insect and disease problems are uncommon.
More Information:
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