Gaillardia aristata
Blanket flower
Common names: Common blanket flower, Gaillardia
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Pot size
- from 10 l
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Flowering
- Jun–Sep
- Hardiness
- Hardy
Photo: Alvesgaspar · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Description
The blanket flower, botanically Gaillardia aristata, produces bright red‑yellow cluster flowers from June to September that resemble small cockades. Native to North America, it thrives best in full sun and warm conditions. As a perennial, it reliably attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. The plant self‑seeds and often persists for many years, though individual plants may decline after two to three years. Its leaves and stems are finely hairy and can irritate sensitive skin; gloves are recommended during handling.
Care instructions
Plant in full sun on well‑drained, slightly sandy or low‑nutrient soil; avoid overly fertile or water‑logged earth. Regular deadheading of faded blooms extends flowering into late autumn. Water only during prolonged dry spells; otherwise the plant tolerates low moisture. In winter, a loose mulch layer protects roots, especially in the first few years after planting. Every few years, divide the clumps to maintain bloom vigor. Varieties such as ‘Burgunder’ and ‘Kobold’ are particularly suitable for division.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
FloweringJun–Sep
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, sandy, lean
The blanket flower likes it dry and poor, as you would expect from its North American origin in prairie and steppe. A free-draining, sandy-gravelly soil matters more than richness in nutrients, because the roots rot quickly on heavy, waterlogged soils. It tolerates chalky soils well; in very acidic substrates it grows more weakly.
Feeding
Light feeder
The blanket flower needs hardly any feeding. A little mature compost in spring is entirely enough; more would only encourage soft, floppy growth and reduce flowering. It is happiest on poor sites.
Overwintering
The blanket flower is hardy but sensitive to wet in winter. A loose winter cover of brushwood helps at exposed sites, but a free-draining soil that does not become waterlogged in winter is more important. After a few years flowering power often declines; then division in spring is worthwhile.
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
- Division
- Cuttings
The easiest way is to sow the blanket flower directly outdoors from mid-May · week 20; it needs light to germinate and should only be pressed in lightly. Alternatively, start it on the windowsill from March. Older clumps can be divided in spring, which rejuvenates the plant and gives you several new specimens at once. Root cuttings in early spring are another option if you want to propagate a particular variety.
Companion planting
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
For your garden
Grow Blanket flower yourself
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