Great Blanket Flower Gaillardia aristata
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- gay-LAR-dee-uh ar-is-TAH-tuh
- Description
-
Blanketflower is a flowering plant in the sunflower family growing 1 to 3 feet tall with showy daisy-like 3"- 4" flowers that bloom from May through September. The orange-red disks are surrounded by inch-long petals tipped in yellow with a dark red base. The plant is covered with fuzzy hairs. This taprooted perennial grows well in hot, dry sites in full sun but may need supplemental water during extended drought conditions. The flowers attract pollinators like bees and butterflies and the seed heads attract birds.
Blanketflower requires little care growing in grass-dominant areas on droughty, sandy soils. Root rot may occur in poorly drained soils.
This Blanketflower species was used by Native Americans to waterproof rawhide bags, treat many ailments and the flowers are said to resemble the colorful patterns that were woven into blankets.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Bijou'
A dwarf selection growing 10-12" tall
- 'Bijou'
- 'Bijou'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Bijou'
A dwarf selection growing 10-12" tall
- 'Bijou'
- 'Bijou'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Gaillardia
- Species:
- aristata
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Subarctic America to N. U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- South-central Canada to southern Colorado, west to Washington and Montana, and east to the Dakotas
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract butterflies and bees. Gold Finches will eat the seeds.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Mounding
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- A stout and hairy achene
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Wheel
- Flower Petals:
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 3"-4" orange to red flower head with yellow bordered rays
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are 6" long, gray-green in color, rough and hairy
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Rock Wall
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Moths
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
