Gaillardia × grandiflora
hybrid blanketflower
Garden hybrid (North American parents)
Overview
Gaillardia x grandiflora, blanketflower, is a short-lived herbaceous perennial in the daisy family, raised from a cross between G. aristata and G. pulchella. It forms a clump 1–3 feet (30–90 cm) tall and 1–2 feet (30–60 cm) wide of gray-green, lance-shaped, slightly hairy leaves, mostly toward the base. From early summer to frost it bears daisy flowers 3–4 inches (8–10 cm) across with a domed central disk ringed by petals banded in red, orange, and yellow, often red at the base and yellow at the tips. The long bloom period and warm colors give the plant its common name. It grows in full sun on lean, fast-draining soil and tolerates heat, drought, poor ground, and coastal salt once established. Rich or wet soils shorten its life and cause crown rot, and clumps often weaken after two or three years, so plants are renewed from seed, division, or basal cuttings. It is hardy to about USDA zone 3. Deadheading through the season keeps flowering steady.
Native Range
Gaillardia x grandiflora is a garden hybrid and does not occur in the wild. Its parents are native to North America: G. aristata to the western and central regions and G. pulchella to the south-central United States and Mexico.Suggested Uses
Used in sunny borders, prairie and meadow plantings, gravel gardens, and containers, spaced 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) apart, and massed for long summer color. The flowers draw bees and butterflies and supply cut stems, while the seed heads feed finches. Its short life and dislike of wet soil make it better suited to lean, well-drained sites than rich, moist borders.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
red, orange, and yellow bandedFoliage Description
gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Growth is strongest in full sun on lean, sharply drained soil of low to average fertility. Established plants need little water and withstand heat, drought, and salt, while rich, moist, or heavy soils cause weak growth and crown rot. No fertilizer is needed, as feeding reduces flowering and shortens life. Deadheading spent flowers through the season keeps bloom steady. Clumps decline after two or three years and are renewed by division, basal cuttings, or seed. It is hardy to about USDA zone 3 with sharp winter drainage.Pruning
Deadheading spent flowers through summer prolongs bloom and reduces self-seeding. Cutting the whole plant back by about one-third in midsummer can refresh tired, floppy growth and prompt a new flush. Leaving some late seed heads feeds birds and allows limited self-sowing.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons