Gaillardia Planting Guide
Snappy and Sassy
Gaillardia are also known as "blanket flowers" because their colors mirror those of Mexican blankets, gold-tipped with russet-red centers. (Recent introductions have expanded the color range for these beauties.) From early summer thorough frost gaillardia provide deer resistant, drought tolerant flowers to blanket garden borders. Snipping the blooms for arrangements encourages plants to continue producing flowers into fall, when they'll manage even light frosts. If you have hot, sunny garden sites, gaillardia's easy care disposition earns a place on the short list.
Outdoor Beds
- Find a location where the soil drains well. If there are still water puddles 5-6 hours after a hard rain, scout out another site. Or amend the soil with the addition of organic material to raise the level 2"-3" to improve the drainage. Peat moss, compost, ground bark or decomposed manure all work well and are widely available. While blanket flowers aren't fussy about soil, they prefer drier situations and will not thrive in areas that are soggy.
- Site your plants where they will receive full sun. Light shade is also fine in regions where the sun is especially strong.
- Check the mature size and spacing information provided with each plant variety and design your placement accordingly. Dig holes and situate the plants so the soil level on the root ball from the pot is even with the soil in your bed. Tuck the plants in and tamp down the soil to remove any air pockets.
- After planting, water your gaillardia generously to settle the soil around the root ball. Root and top growth form in a few weeks, depending on soils and air temperature.
- Water periodically during the growing season as needed keeping in mind that weekly deep waterings are better than lighter drinks every day or two. An estimate of 1" of moisture per weeks is a good place to start.
- When your gaillardia flower feel free to snip blooms for bouquets. This will not hurt the plants and for some varieties it prolongs the blooming period.
- After blooming has finished for the season leave the foliage in place, don't cut it off. The leaves will gather sunlight, create food through photosynthesis and strengthen the plant for the future. Water as needed.
- In late fall, your plants' foliage may fade and wilt with the onset of colder nights. At this point you may clip the stems to within 3" of the ground. Fresh growth will develop in the spring. If you live in an area where the weather stays warm year round, just trim out dead stems or spent flowers to keep your plants looking their best.
- Your gaillardia will rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle.
Planters, Pots, Tubs and Urns
- Select large containers keeping in mind the mature size of your gaillardia. (See individual cultivar descriptions.) Fill your containers with well-drained, humus rich potting soil. Add peat moss or perlite to improve drainage, if needed. Make sure there are adequate drainage holes in your pots; gaillardia prefer drier conditions and will not thrive in constantly wet or waterlogged soil.
- Site your plants where they will receive full sun. Light shade is also fine in regions where the sun is especially strong.
- Check the mature size and spacing information provided with each plant variety. When planting in containers it's helpful arrange your plants a little snugger than is recommended for beds, to create a full display. Dig holes and situate the plants so that the soil level on the root ball from the pot is even with that in your container. Tuck the plants in and tamp down the soil to remove any air pockets.
- After planting, water your gaillardia generously to settle the soil around the root ball. Root and top growth form in a few weeks, depending on soils and air temperature.
- Water periodically during the growing season, as needed, keeping in mind that weekly deep waterings are better than lighter drinks every day or two. An estimate of 1" of moisture per weeks is a good place to start. Modify as needed depending on your individual situation.
- When your gaillardia are flowering feel free to snip blooms for bouquets. This will not hurt the plants and for some varieties it prolongs the blooming period.
- After blooming has finished for the season leave the foliage in place, don't cut it off. The leaves will gather sunlight, create food through photosynthesis and strengthen the plant for the future. Water as needed.
- In late fall, your plants' foliage will fade and wilt with the onset of colder nights. At this point you may clip the stems to within 3" of the ground. Fresh growth will develop in the spring. If you live in an area where the weather stays warm year round, just trim out dead stems or spent flowers to keep your plants looking their best.
- Your gaillardia will rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle.
