Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella): Bushy Annual with Long-Season Color

Blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella) is a bushy annual producing red or yellow (or bicolor) daisy-shaped flowers with dark purple central disks over a long season. Grows to about 18 inches. Native to central/southern U.S. and Mexico.

Noteworthy Features

Colorful flowers all summer. U.S. native. Good cut flower.

Culture & Propagation

Full sun, fertile well-drained soil (tolerates poor soil). Deadhead consistently but leave some seedheads for birds. Start seeds indoors early spring at 55–64°F or sow directly late spring/early summer.

Problems

Watch for aphids, thrips, slugs, snails. Rot in poorly drained soils. Prone to mildews, rust, white smut, leaf spots.

Quick Reference

• Height: 1–3 ft.
• Spread: 6–12 in.
• Growth Habit: Clumps
• Growth Pace: Moderate
• Light: Full sun only
• Moisture: Medium
• Maintenance: Moderate
• Bloom Time: Summer to fall
• Flower Colors: Red, yellow
• Attributes: Native, attracts songbirds & butterflies
• Uses: Beds, borders, cut flowers, meadow/rock gardens