Blanket Flower
Gaillardia aristata
A cheerful and resilient native wildflower that blooms from early summer until frost with vibrant daisy-like flowers in shades of red, orange, and yellow. Perfect for xeriscaping and low-maintenance gardens, this drought-tolerant perennial attracts butterflies and beneficial insects while requiring minimal care once established.
Harvest
Not applicabled
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun
Zones
3–8
USDA hardiness
Height
2 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Blanket Flower in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 native-wildflower →Zone Map
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Blanket Flower · Zones 3–8
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day). Soil: High Organic Matter, Sand, Shallow Rocky. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Occasionally Dry, Very Dry. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: 'Bijou'A dwarf selection growing 10-12" tall, 'Bijou'. Propagation: Division, Root Cutting, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Piedmont.
Harvesting
A stout and hairy achene
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Achene. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.
Bloom time: 'Bijou'A dwarf selection growing 10-12" tall, 'Bijou'
History & Origin
Origin: Subarctic America to N. U.S.A.
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Deer, Drought, Dry Soil, Heat, Poor Soil
- +Attracts: Herbaceous Perennial, Wildflower
- +Wildlife value: Flowers attract butterflies and bees. Gold Finches will eat the seeds.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Purple Coneflower
Similar growing conditions and attracts beneficial pollinators while creating natural prairie aesthetic
Black-Eyed Susan
Complementary bloom times and shared tolerance for drought and poor soils
Lavender
Repels harmful insects while attracting beneficial ones, shares preference for well-draining soil
Yarrow
Attracts beneficial insects and predatory wasps that help control pests on nearby plants
Catmint
Deters aphids and ants while providing nectar for pollinators throughout the season
Salvia
Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies, shares drought tolerance and full sun requirements
Marigold
Repels nematodes and harmful insects while adding complementary colors to the garden
Little Bluestem Grass
Provides structural contrast and natural prairie companion with similar water and soil needs
Keep Apart
Tall Fescue
Aggressive root system competes heavily for nutrients and water, can crowd out wildflowers
Tree of Heaven
Produces allelopathic chemicals that inhibit growth of native wildflowers and other plants
Bermuda Grass
Highly invasive with dense root system that outcompetes and suppresses native wildflower growth
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Good disease resistance, may develop root rot in wet conditions
Common Pests
Aphids, leafhoppers, aster yellows
Diseases
Root rot in poorly drained soil, powdery mildew