This Blanket Flower is a hybrid of the perennial gaillardia ( G. aristata ) and a 2’ tall annual gaillardia ( G. pulchella ) and is generally short-lived. It is naturalized on coastal dunes and is resistant to damage by deer. There are several cultivars available to extend the color and height availability. Most grow 1-3 feet tall with a 2-foot spread and if kept deadheaded will bloom most of the season. The stems and leaves are densely hairy and the flowers are often bi-colored and daisy-like. Good drainage is a must as they will not survive the winter in poorly drained clay soils. Amend the soil with humus and keep evenly moist. They can survive some drought once established. Use this plant to add bright colors to the front of the border, in containers, on the patio or along walkways. Bees and butterflies will visit the flowers and if some seeds are left to form, goldfinches will eat them. Use in a cottage, cutting, pollinator or drought-tolerant garden. They are also useful in containers, walkways and other small spaces. Quick ID Hints : Erect herb with terminal head, center reddish, flattened dome-shaped Ray flowers large, outer, red with yellow apices Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to powdery mildew, leaf spot, aster yellows, and leafhoppers, but none are regarded as serious problems. More information on Gaillardia .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
5 - Groundcover
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cuneate
Leaf margin
Dentate
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Alternate, simple, grayish-green, bluntly acute, cuneate to sub attenuate, hirsute; lower leaves 8-10" long, dentate to shallowly, pinnately lobed, petiolate; upper leaves reduced, becoming entire, sessile and +/- clasping.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
A terminal head, solitary on elongate peduncles, 2.5-4" diam.; receptable reddish to orangish-red pappus. Ray flowers bicolored, red to reddish-purple, with apex yellow; disc flowers purple or yellow.
Bloom time
Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Stem color
Green
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Western USA
Wildlife value
Flowers attract butterflies and bees. Gold Finches will eat the seeds.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Fruit type
Capsule
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Coastal; Container; Naturalized Area; Patio; Small Space; Walkways