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Great Blanket Flower Gaillardia aristata

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'
Tags:
#showy flowers#small spaces#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#interesting flowers#low maintenance#long bloom time#groundcover#hairy leaves#garden walls#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#perennial#wildflower
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Bijou'
    A dwarf selection growing 10-12" tall
'Bijou'
Tags:
#showy flowers#small spaces#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#interesting flowers#low maintenance#long bloom time#groundcover#hairy leaves#garden walls#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#perennial#wildflower
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    A stout and hairy achene
  • 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
  • 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
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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