Blanket Flower

Blanket flower is the perfect choice when you’re craving warmth. This radiant wildflower with an extended blooming season will light up your garden with a kaleidoscope of glowing colors.

There are roughly 30 species of the genus Gaillardia. Multiple legends surround the name. The simplest indicates that it comes from the tendency of these plants to quickly blanket the ground with vibrant blooms. Another suggests that the name comes from the way thriving patches of these plants are reminiscent of brightly patterned Native American blankets. One story links the inspiration for the plants name to the gorgeous blooms that repeatedly appeared on the grave of a talented Native American weaver who was famous for creating richly hued blankets.

They are available in an array of hot colors. Yellows, oranges, peaches, reds, maroons, and burgundies are common. The flowers are intensely colored and framed by silver-green foliage that’s slightly hairy.

The color is vivid and long-lasting. These plants bloom repeatedly throughout the summer and into the fall.

Generally, they have daisy-like flowers that feature multiple rays around a central disc. These rays can be in a single or double layer. There may be flat or trumpet-shaped petals. Some flowerheads offer a single, vibrant hue. Others boast bands of colors, resulting in a striking ombre effect.

They send up stems that feature a single bloom measuring between two inches and four inches. The plants typically reach heights of 12 inches to 18 inches, but they can grow up to 36 inches tall.

They are a wonderful way to add more color to any space, and their blooms last well in both gardens and vases. They are heat- and drought-tolerant, and they withstand deer, rabbits, and groundhogs while attracting bees, butterflies, and birds. Their ability to blanket the ground with a carpet of color makes them a popular choice for borders, roadside plantings, and ground covers. They also thrive in rock gardens, cottage gardens, and pollinator gardens.