These cool season, short-lived perennials are native to the Central United States and Canada. Some common names for them include: Blanketflower, indian blanket and brown-eyed Susan. Gaillardia's large, daisy-like flowers of gold, red and bronze are a beautiful addition to any garden.

Blanket Flower, as the common name suggests, has the brilliant red and yellow colors that are found in some southwestern Indian Blankets. Gaillardia's name comes from the French botanist, Gaillard de Marentoneau, for whom it was named after.

Gaillardia × grandiflora is a hybrid of Gaillardia aristata × Gaillardia pulchella

This perennial blooms in an extended period from early summer through fall. The mid-height plants produce masses of fiery red blooms surrounded by a ring of rich flame yellow. Showy flower heads are solitary, 2-3 cm wide and yellow with a purple base. Blooms in successive seasons from expanding clumps.

Blanketflower is similar to members of the Helianthus genus and the genus Chrysanthemum, but is distinguished from these two by its flattened stem and purple based, yellow tipped flowers. The seed is an achene with a pappus of bristled scales.

    

Blanketflower is a slender, erect perennial that grows from a taproot and rhizomes. The basal leaves are entire to toothed with upper leaves alternate, toothed and 15 cm long. The stems are 1 to several and are flattened. Leaves and stems have coarse grayish-white hairs. Plants will regrow from their rhizomes if the stems are destroyed.

Excellent for beds, borders or great cut flowers, they also look spectacular planted with yellows and reds or purples, like Salvia Indigo Spires. They can be used as an annual bedding plant, or as a perennial.

There is a moth, Schinia masoni, that camouflages itself for protection in the blanketflower. The head and thorax of the moth blend with the ray flowers while the crimson wings blend with the disc flowers.

Easy to grow from seed, this outstanding variety will often flower in the first year from sowing. Sow February to April. Germinate at 20-30°C (68-86°F) on the surface of a good free draining, damp seed compost. Do not cover the seed.

Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination which usually takes 14-21 days. Do not exclude light, because seeds require light for germination.

Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into trays or 3 inch pots. Grow on in cooler conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost.

PREFERS A MOIST, WELL-DRAINED SOIL TOLERATES DRY, SANDY CONDITIONS PREFERS FULL SUN GROWN 24 TO 30 INCHES TALL BLOOM COLORS: RED, YELLOW NO SERIOUS PESTS OR DISEASES PROPAGATE BY SEED OR DIVISION PLANT SPRING, SUMMER OR FALL VERY DROUGHT TOLERANT GREAT FOR XERISCAPES HARDY IN ZONES 2 - 10 (US)

Gaillardia grandiflora 'Baby Cole' Gaillardia grandiflora 'Royal Monarch' Gaillardia grandiflora 'Goblin' Gaillardia grandiflora 'Bijou'

Gaillardia grandiflora 'Burgundy' Gaillardia grandiflora 'Tokajer' Gaillardia grandiflora 'Summer’s Kiss' Gaillardia grandiflora 'Kobold'