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Gaillardia is often confused with:
Zinnia peruviana close-up of red flower
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Asclepias tuberosa Asclepias tuberosa
Monarda Form in the garden
Monarda didyma Flowers

Gaillardia

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
gay-LAR-dee-uh
Description

Gaillardia or the blanket flower genus is a group of short-lived perennial plants in the Asteraceae (daisy) family native to North and South America including North Carolina. The plant was named after Maître Gaillard de Charentonneau, an enthusiastic botanist in France. There are many hybrids of this plant available on the market in a variety of shapes and colors. They attract pollinators to the flowers and bloom from spring to fall. Blanket flower is deer and rabbit resistant and salt tolerant. 

These plants need good drainage in full sun to thrive. They are drought tolerant once established and require very little fertilizer.  Use these plants to add lots of color to the front of the border, in containers and mass planted. Deadhead to encourage repeat blooming.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Generally, no problems, but leaf spot and powdery mildew can occur. Aphids, leafhoppers and thrips can occur. Root rot in too wet conditions is a problem.

VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.

 

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#cultivars#red flowers#yellow flowers#orange flowers#NC native#bicolor#long bloom time#border front#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#short-lived perennials#sun#landscape plant sleuths course
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#cultivars#red flowers#yellow flowers#orange flowers#NC native#bicolor#long bloom time#border front#NC Native Pollinator Plant#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#short-lived perennials#sun#landscape plant sleuths course
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Gaillardia
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North and South America
    Wildlife Value:
    Bees and butterflies visit the flowers
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Mounding
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    Hairy achenes form from the disc flowers
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Variegated
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    The flowers vary per variety but are usually solitary disc flowers surrounded by 15 or more ray flowers in a variety of colors. Some varieties have rolled or tubular rays in single or double rows.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves vary and are usually gray-green, hairy, with lance-shaped leaves that have smooth or lobed edges
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Rabbits
    Salt
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis