How to Propagate Blanket Flower

 

The botanical name of blanket flower is Gaillardia. The blanket flower is hardy perennials that thrive in both North and South America and they are also cold hardy to USDA Zone four. With more than a dozen species (which include some annual varieties), the blanket flower earns its name from typical Native America blankets of red and yellow. The perennial varieties of the plant thrive for years and should be lifted and propagated through root division every three to five years to keep the plants healthy and produce new plantings.

 

How to Propagate Blanket Flower

To get started, divide the roots in early spring as soon as first the new growth appears to reduce stress from transplanting.

Dig around the base of the blanket flower plant with a spade or garden fork. Dig about six to eight inches from the base of the plant and to a depth of about eight to ten inches.

Actually a yellow daisy-like petals with a red centers characterize the blanket flower plant.

Slide the blade of the spade or tines of the garden fork under the root ball. Lift the blanket flower plant free from the soil.

Shake gently to remove excess soil from the blanket flower plant and to reveal the roots.

 

Separate the plant roots with your hands. Gently pull the blanket flower plant into several sections. An established blanket flower plant can typically be divided into 3 to 5 sections. Each section should contain 2 or 3 shoots of foliage.

Slide the blade of the spade or tines of the garden fork under the root ball.

Shake gently to remove excess soil and to reveal the roots.

Keep the plant roots cool and damp until replanting. Place in a bucket with folded newspapers on top of the blanket flower plant roots. Wet the newspaper and then place in cool area out of direct sunlight until blanket flower plants can be transplanted.

Replant in prepared soil in similar growing conditions as the original site. Dig a hole large enough for roots to spread out over the soil without bending or folding. Guide ends of roots downward and then cover with soil. Firm down with your hands to secure the blanket flower plant.

Keep the blanket flower plant roots cool and damp until replanting.

Wet the newspaper and then place in cool area out of direct sunlight until the blanket flower plants can be transplanted.

Water the plant thoroughly to moisten the soil to the root level and then keep the soil moist until the blanket flower plant shows signs of renewed growth. Resume normal care for the plant.