Species Indian blanket
maroon to yellow flower with maroon stamens and reddish-green stem

Indian blanket

Gaillardia pulchella

Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) is a truly amazing wildflower. It grows widely across much of North America in prairies, fields, and along roadsides. It has bright red petals and an orange central disk that create amazing flower heads that are 1-2 inches wide. Its vibrant blooms add stunning color to any garden. The beauty of this flower is not just in its showy flower heads, but in its hardiness. These wildflowers can even withstand dry, sandy soils and return year after year. Indian Blanket is a hardy and colorful addition to any home garden.

Cycle:

Annual

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Root Cutting,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 11

Flowers:

Red, yellow on red/yellow bicolor with dark centers Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Low

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) should be watered deeply but infrequently. During the summer months, it needs to be watered approximately once a week or more, depending on the weather conditions. During spring and fall, water should be given every 2 weeks. In the winter, it should be watered about every 3 weeks or whenever the soil surface is dry. When watering, make sure to thoroughly douse the soil, allowing it to absorb the water slowly. Also, try to water early in the day and avoid splashing water on the leaves, as this can promote fungal growth.

sunlight

Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) is a sun-loving species of plant that requires a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth and flowering. It thrives best in full sun during the morning and late afternoon, with some shade during the hottest part of the day. It will flower well even in partial sun, but full sun is preferred. This species does best in USDA zones 3-10 and prefers well-drained soil with plenty of compost or organic matter. Water requirements vary depending on the season, with slightly more water needed in the summer and slightly less in the winter months.

pruning

For optimal growth, Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella) should be pruned twice a year. Pruning should take place in early spring and again in late summer, just after flowering. In early spring, lightly prune the plant back by 1/3 of its total height. While pruning, look for any dead or damaged stems and remove them. Pruning in the spring helps to promote new growth and vigorous blooming. In late summer, cut back individual stems by up to ¼ their length to encourage a fuller, more compact plant. This process should be done right after flowering to ensure that new growth can develop before cooler temperatures arrive. Be sure not to over prune as this can lead to poor blooming and decrease the longevity of the plant. In general, only prune as much as needed to maintain the desired shape and size.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Gaillardia pulchella typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Gaillardia pulchella typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map