Blanket Flower (Gaillardia aristata) is a beautiful and distinct western wildflower featuring a red center surrounded by petals of red with yellow tips. Blanket Flower is wonderful for providing long-lasting color and interest to dry garden beds or containers. It will usually bloom from June to September, and a fall bloom can be encouraged if the flowers begin to die back in the heat of summer by deadheading. These flowers are also a rich nectar source and attract all kinds of pollinators while the seeds are highly attractive to birds! Although Blanket Flower will prefer some soil moisture (and bloom more prolifically), it is very drought tolerant and will grow in dry soils. Avoid planting in heavy to poorly drained soils. This plant makes a lovely addition to prairie and meadow plantings, rock gardens, naturalistic plantings, containers, naturalistic beds and borders, and cottage or butterfly gardens
Photo Credit: David J. Stang
Blanket Flower
Irrigation Requirement: Very Low (Water to Establish), Low (1/2" every 10-14 days), or Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days)
Mature Size: 2 - 3' tall and 1 - 2' wide
Spacing: 18-24"
Bloom Colors: Red, yellow
Bloom Season: May - September
Hardiness Zone: 3 - 8
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Deer Resistant: Yes, somewhat
Salt Tolerant: Yes
Soils: Grows in sandy or loam soils that are well-draining
Plants in the Gaillardia genus are rarely used as a caterpillar host plant in Utah for two species. They are a long-blooming nectar source and attract many pollinators. After blooming, they are a seed source for birds.