Gaillardia aristata – Blanket Flower –

Description

Gaillardia – Blanket Flower – There are about 30 species of annuals, perennials, and biennials, in this genus. They occur in open, sunny habitats on prairies and Hillsides in the USA, with two species from South America. They bear smooth edged, toothed, lobed or pinnatifid, hairy leaves, produced in basal rosettes and alternately up the stem. On long stems it bears single or double, daisy like in red, orange, or yellow petals from summer until first frost as much as 6″ wide. The numerous cultivars are bushy, leafy plants with brightly colored flowers. They are effective in a sunny border and also good for cutting. Grow in fertile, well drained soil in full sun, poor soil is tolerated. Deadhead regularly. In colder climates cut perennials back to about 6″ in late summer to encourage new basal growth, which usually overwinters well. Divide perennials in spring. Stake if necessary. They tolerate extreme heat, cold, dryness, and strong winds. Prone to downy mildew, rust, powdery mildew, white smut, bacterial leaf spots, Septoria leaf spot, and slugs and snails. G. aristata – This erect but often spreading perennial found from Western British Columbia, Saskatchewan to Western Arizona, New Mexico grows 24-30″ tall and 18-24″ wide, and may be short lived especially in damp conditions. It produces aromatic, inversely lance shaped, smooth or toothed edge, shallowly lobed or pinnatifid, grayish green, downy leaves, to 8″ long. From summer to autumn it bears single flowers, to 4″ across, with yellow petals, sometimes tinged red at the bases, and reddish orange centers. Zones 3-8