James H. Schutte
Family
Asteraceae
Botanical Name
Gaillardia aristata
Plant Common Name
Common Blanketflower
General Description
Blanketflower sports the warm colors of hand woven Native American blankets. The herbaceous perennial Gaillardia aristata is a tough and showy ornamental native to the plains of northern and western North America where it naturally inhabits grasslands and dry prairies. It has that rare combination of beauty, drought resistance and extreme hardiness.
This tidy wildflower forms clumps of coarsely toothed, lance-shaped, hairy green leaves. In summer it sends up branched stems covered with deep maroon red, orange or golden yellow daisies. The flowers attract bees and butterflies and are often bicolored. They will continue to bloom until fall if regularly deadheaded.
Blanketflowers are generally very easy to grow. Most prefer sunny locations with well-draining, fertile soil. They have few pest and disease problems—though they can suffer crown or root rot if planted in poorly drained soil. They are wonderfully easy to design with and perfect for wildflower or rock gardens, sunny mixed borders or butterfly gardens. Their moderately salt tolerance also makes them well-suited to roadside plantings. Common blanketflower will gently self-sow.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 1
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Height
12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm
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Width
12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm
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Native To
Northeastern United States, North-Central United States, Western United States, Northwestern United States, Southwestern United States, Alaska
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Clay, Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Salt
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Seasonal Interest
Summer, Fall
