Common Gaillardia

Native Blanket Flower

Gaillardia aristata

gah-LAR-dee-uh a-ris-TAH-tuh
18 to 24 in.
18 to 24 in.
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very low

yellow with red centers

mid-summer

18 to 24 in.

18 to 24 in.

Yes

western United States and Canada

sun

USDA zones 3-8

hardy to 8,500 ft.

Native blanket flower is an ornamental wildflower that naturally grows in prairies and opening in ponderosa pine forests. It has light green, fuzzy leaves.

The flowers are daisy-like and produced on sturdy stalks above the foliage. They have reddish brown centers and yellow or yellow/red bicolor petals. The seedheads turn red, white, and finally brown.

This is a nice native wildflower for a naturalistic landscape or to mix with native grasses.

very low

yellow with red centers

mid-summer

18 to 24 in.

18 to 24 in.

Yes

western United States and Canada

sun

USDA zones 3-8

hardy to 8,500 ft.

At the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden, common gaillardia's flowers are very attractive when in bloom in July. The seedheads are showy for a brief period.

Since the individual plants are short-lived and the leaves are small, native blanket flower is best suited to naturalistic gardens or prairies rather than traditional landscapes. Some of the improved cultivars are more appropriate for traditional gardens.

Remove old stems and leaves in late fall or early spring before new growth starts. Deadhead as desired to encourage rebloom, which is usually done after the seedhead loses its attractiveness as the seeds disperse.