Perennial Blanket Flower

Perennial Blanketflower has striking red, yellow, and orange daisy-like blooms that adds a splash of color to any garden. This hardy perennial attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, creating a lively and buzzing atmosphere in your garden. Growing to a height of 18 to 24 inches, it forms a compact, bushy mound that works beautifully in borders, beds, or containers. This drought-tolerant beauty thrives in full sun, making it perfect for low-maintenance gardens. Not only does it offer incredible visual appeal, but it also flourishes in poor soil conditions, making it ideal for a variety of landscapes. Its extended bloom period lasts from early summer into fall, providing a season-long burst of color. Perennial Blanketflower is also deer-resistant, ensuring that your garden remains undisturbed by hungry critters. Whether you're a beginner gardener or a seasoned horticulturist, this easy-care plant is sure to make a stunning addition to any outdoor space.

Also Known As: Perennial Blanketflower, Indian Blanket, Firewheel, Sundancer, Painted Daisy, Dakota Daisy, Blanket Daisy, Red Daisy, Cherokee Blanketflower, Common Blanketflower, Girasol Rojo, Gaillardia Aristata, Sundance, Indian Blanketflower, Pinwheel, Perpetual Gaillardia.

Plant Name:	Blanket Flower, Perennial
Latin Name:	Gaillardia aristata
Days to Germinate:	7-14
Days to Bloom:	90-120
Plant Height:	1 - 2 Feet
Spread:	1 - 2 Feet
Bloom Diameter:	2 Inches
Growth Habit:	Upright
USDA Zones:	3-10
Lifespan:	Annual
Brand:	TomorrowSeeds
Sunlight:	Full Sun, Partial Shade
Pollination:	Heirloom, Open-Pollinated
GMO:	No
Fungicide-Treated Seeds*:	No
Seeds Packed For**:	2025

*Fungicide-treated seeds protect the seedlings from diseases until they are up and growing. Do not eat treated seeds.
**Seeds are freshly packed for the growing season of the year listed. Seeds are still viable beyond pack date. Store in a cool and dry location such as the refrigerator or basement to best preserve germination rates.

Planting Instructions:

Soil Preparation:

Choose an area with heavy, well-draining soil that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. Remove weeds, large rocks, and litter from the planting area. Leave small weeds and dead grass, they will enrich the soil when turned under. Spade or till the soil 6-8 inches deep. Loosening the soil will help the plant establish strong roots. If the soil is heavy or clay-like, mix in some sand or compost to improve drainage. Optionally, form rows of soil beds 4-6 inches high and at least 2 feet apart. This formation of ridges will help with drainage, ensure good airflow, and make harvesting for cut flowers easier. Lay down 1/2"-3/4" peat moss, sawdust, or potting soil, the soil surface. This layer is beneficial for flower seeds because it can the improve the germination environment and prevent soil crusting.

Planting:

Starting Indoors: For earlier blooms, you may optionally cold-stratify seeds for at least 30 days then start planting indoors in containers 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date in Spring, keeping seedlings at least 65F. Harden off then transplant seedlings outdoors in a sunny location when temperatures are consistently above 60F. To transplant seedlings, prepare a transplant hole outdoors in a sunny location. Remove the plants carefully from the pots or flats and set them in the transplant holes, burying some of the stem in the ground. Pack the soil loosely around the plant and leave a slightly sunken area around each plant to hold water. Water the plants after transplanting.

Directly Sowing: If directly sowing outdoors, plant after the first hard frost in early Spring to cold-stratify seeds. Plants will germinate in late Spring when the soil warms to at least 60F. Fall planting is not recommended unless planting outdoors in environments with mild, frost-free winters, or planting indoors with supplemental grow lights. For blooms in late Spring of the following year, sow outdoors after the first hard frost in Fall to cold-stratify seeds. To plant, make holes 1/4 inch deep and spaced 12-18 inches apart down the rows of raised beds. Plant 2-3 seeds per hole, then cover thinly with soil. In small plots, flower seeds may be scattered and gently watered in. Once seedlings emerge, plants can separated and spaced 12-18 inches apart to allow room for mature plants to spread and prevent overcrowding.

Water after planting.

Planting Depth:	1/4 inch
Within-Row Spacing:	12-18 inches
Between-Row Spacing:	2-3 feet

Care During the Season:

Perennial Blanketflower requires minimal watering once established, as it is highly drought-tolerant. Regular deadheading of spent flowers encourages continuous blooming from early summer through fall. In the heat of summer, occasional deep watering can help keep plants healthy, but overwatering should be avoided to prevent root rot. Applying a light layer of mulch around the base can help retain moisture and suppress weeds while ensuring good air circulation. Since Blanketflower thrives in poor to average soil, fertilization is rarely necessary and can even reduce flowering if over-applied. At the end of the growing season, leaving some seed heads on the plant can provide winter interest and food for birds. In colder climates, cutting back dead foliage in late fall or early spring will help encourage fresh new growth.