Scientific Name
Gaillardia aristata Pursh
Common Name(s)
Blanket Flower, Common Blanket Flower, Common Gaillardia, Great Blanket Flower
Synonym(s)
Gaillardia aristata f. aristata, Gaillardia aristata var. aristata, Gaillardia hallii, Virgilia grandiflora
Scientific Classification
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Gaillardia
Flower
Color: Yellow and brownish or reddish-purple
Bloom Time: May to September
Description
Gaillardia aristata is a perennial wildflower with lance-shaped leaves near the base and several erect naked stems holding the flowers. It grows up to 27.6 inches (70 cm) tall.
Each flower head has a center of brownish or reddish-purple disc florets and a fringe of ray florets up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) long and yellow to reddish with dark bases. Fruits are stout, hairy achene, up to 0.4 inches (1 cm) long, including the long spiky pappus.
How to Grow and Care
Learning how to grow Blanket Flower is a fairly simple process. They are easily started from seeds or may be purchased as seedlings for a garden display of blooms in red and yellow colors of the traditional Indian blanket.
Sow seeds into well-draining soil and cover them slightly. Although drought tolerant once established, Blanket Flowers' care includes keeping the seeds moist until germination occurs. Once established, occasional watering should become a part of Blanket Flowers' care. This assists in a longer display of colorful blooms.
Care of Gaillardias includes planting in a full sun location to keep this fast-growing specimen happy. As a native plant to the central United States and Mexico, Blanket Flower is a heat-loving flower that attracts butterflies. Growing Blanket Flowers are drought tolerant and do not like wet feet from soggy soil. Growing Blanket Flowers can naturalize in a meadow or field, adding hues of color. The easy-care of Blanket Flowers makes them an ideal specimen for many landscape uses.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Blanket Flowers.
Origin
Gaillardia aristata is native to much of northern and western North America, where it grows in many habitats.
Links
- Back to genus Gaillardia
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin
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