Gaillardia aristata | blanketflower

Blanketflower is a reportedly* long-lived western US native suitable for natural landscaping, xeriscaping, waterwise design, and low maintenance planting. We love the pinkish red, orange, and yellow blooms that smother the lightly fuzzed grey-green foliage from late spring through fall. Pollinators love them too. Fuzzy, puffball seed heads are just as attractive as the flowers.

Easy to grow in full sun in average to dry soil. Deer and rabbit resistant.

*We say reportedly long-lived as these plants do not make it through our wet winters on the clay they are planted on (wrong plant - wrong place!). We treat them as easy going annuals - planting out tiny plugs each year. They grow to full size and bloom in only a few short weeks; they never require deadheading; and the foliage remains attractive after frost. Our plants are still blooming in mid-November, even after a few frosts!

Zones: 3 to 9
Family: Asteraceae
Type: Perennial
Height: 18 to 24 in.
Spread: 18 to 24 in.
Exposure: Full sun
Soil Conditions: well-drained, average, poor, lean
Bloom Time: June to September
Bloom Color: Yellow With Red Eye
Native Range: US through most of the western states and parts of New England