Simple methods on how to care for Blanket Flowers

From my own little experience Blanket Flower is an easy plant to grow. Blanket Flower is a short-lived perennial that has richly colored daisy-like flowers. Blanket Flower has a lot of species and most of them are native to some area of North America. This plant was cross-bred with Gaillardia aristata, to create Gaillardia X Grandiflora. A lot of modern Blanket Flower we grow in our gardens is the hybrid Gaillardia X Grandiflora.

Basic information about Blanket Flower

The botanical name: The botanical name is Gaillardia x Grandiflora.

Some the common name: Some the common names are Blanket Flower, Indian Blanket Flower.

The plant type: Is perennial.

The mature size: The mature size is about twelve to eighteen inches high and twelve to twenty-four inches wide.

The plant sun exposure: It should be planted in full sun.

The soil type: A well-draining soil, try and avoid clay soil.

The soil pH: This is between 6.1 to 6.5.

The Flower Color: The flower colors are various shades of red, yellow, orange, or peach.

The native area: Blanket Flower is native to North America.

Steps on how to grow Blanket Flowers

Blanket flowers are such long bloomers, they really work equally well in borders and also in containers. This plant also does well with other heat-loving plants that thrive in full sun.

Furthermore, all the Blanket flowers varieties make excellent cut flowers. Blanket flowers also attract butterflies and small birds, such as finches, which can really be a welcome addition to any garden.

The Light requirement: Blanket flower does best in full sun. Although the plant can also handle some partial shade particularly in hot climates.

The soil requirement: Blanket flowers are not particular about soil pH, but they really need a well-draining soil. Blanket flowers will grow in somewhat moist conditions, but heavy clay soil can kill them.

The water requirement: Immediately you plant them water them frequently until you see the flowers. Once the plant is established, they are extremely drought tolerant. Blanket flowers can really go without watering unless there are extremely hot and dry conditions, that is when you have to water the bed once or twice per week. Try and avoid overwatering.

The temperature and humidity: This plant really thrives in full sun and they can withstand hot summer temperatures. Blanket flowers do not actually require a humid environment and they really do better in hot, dry climates over cool, moist ones.

The fertilizer requirement: You can avoid fertilizer because most time poor soils seem to encourage more flowering than rich soils.

The pruning of the plant: This particular plant does not actually require deadheading to keep blooming, although the plants will look better and really fuller if you can really cut the stems back when the flowers begin to fade. With deadheading you will also get more continuous flowering. You can divide the Gaillardia plants every 2 to 3 years to keep them from dying out.

Pest and disease control: These particular plants are usually problem-free, but they are really susceptible to aster yellows, a virus-like disease that can actually stunt their growth and cause the flowers to be green. The Aster yellows are spread by leaf-hoppers and aphids, so one of the best things to do is to really encourage predators, such as ladybugs. Make sure you destroy plants that do get aster yellows. These plants will not recover and the disease can continue to spread all-round. ​Also insects like leafhoppers and aphids can spread disease. Just make sure you have enough natural predators around to keep them in check. You can also spray with insecticidal soap which can help to ward off the pests.