How To Order: Quantity options listed represent bulk weights. Examples: 1 = 1 lbs, 25 = 25 bs.
 
 
Common Name: Blanket Flower
Scientific Name: Gaillardia aristata
Native / Introduced: Native
Main Uses:
~Beautification projects
~As a pollinator
~Disturbed land restoration
Height: 1-2 feet
Colors: Yellow tipped with large red centers
Flowering Season: Summer to fall
Elevation: Up to 9,000 ft
Soil Types: Poor, well-draining soil
Tolerances: Fair drought
Sun or Shade: full or partial sun
Minimum Precipitation: 12-14 inches
Lifecycle: Perennial
Planting Seed Rate: 1-2 lbs/acre
Estimated Seeds Per Pound: 220,000
Optimal Planting Season: Spring
Planting Depth: 1/4 in.
Stratification Required: None
 
Description
Blanket Flower, or Gaillardia aristata, is a perennial wildflower which typically grows 1 – 2 ft. tall. They look similar to daisies but with large yellow flowers with red centers that bloom all summer.
 
Blanket Flower is adapted to most of the United States, it is primarily found from southern Canada on both sides of the Rocky Mountains, to southern Utah, Colorado, and up to South Dakota. It grows wild along prairies, meadows, roadsides and foothills. 
 
It is a fairly drought-tolerant and hardy wildflower. Given its vibrant appearance, this wildflower is typically used as a decorative wildflower in areas requiring low maintenance. Blanketflower is considered deer resistant making it an excellent choice for residential gardens and plantings, especially where water is limited. A large variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, depend on Blanket Flower as a reliable source of nectar and pollen.
 
Resources:
NRCS Plant Profile: https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=GAAR
NRCS Plant Guide: https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_gaar.pdf
NRCS Plant Fact Sheet: https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_gaar.pdf
Additional Resources: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=gaar
 
Photo Credit: Gertjan van Noord, Jacob W Frank and Steve Hurst