By Julie Christensen
Gaillardias , also known as cover blossom , are good news for the nurseryman who has poor , dry soil and hot , sunny conditions . These bright , cheery flowers in reality prefer poor dirt and heat and are shortly - hold out when implant in heavy , moist soil . Gaillardias have fringe petals and interesting markings in yellow , orangish , pinkish and red . Some experts believe their name is in extension to the radiation pattern found on aboriginal American blankets . They are often known as indian cover flowers in the state of Texas . Others think the name “ mantle flower ” refers to their wont of blanketing , or spreading , over an area .
Over 30 species of gaillardia are native to the hill and plains of North America . They resembleblack - eyed Susansand sunflowers , with their bright colour and daisy - comparable var. . The plants grow 8 to 24 inch tall and spread quickly . gaillardia are classified as annuals , biennials or perennials , depending on the kind and growing consideration . Perennial varieties are typically hardy in U.S.D.A. plant hardiness zones 4 through 9 .
Getting Started
To grow gaillardia , use nursery transplants or begin plant from seed . Sow seeds straightaway in the garden after the last Robert Lee Frost , or start them indoors in a seeded player set out tray . They prefer slenderly cool soil to germinate with temperatures between 50 and 65 degrees . Gaillardias pullulate and develop rapidly and will bloom the first summer .
Plant gaillardias with other warmth - do it aboriginal or xeriscape plants in full sun . A few good combination let in fateful - eyed Susans , salvia , catmint , tick-weed , coneflower , lamb ’s ear and Jupiter ’s face fungus . Add compost and manure to the territory prior to planting , especially if your grunge is heavy . cover efflorescence grow best in unclouded , well - draining soil that ’s on the sandlike side . They ’ll belike decompose in ponderous clay soils .
Gaillardia Growing Tips
Gaillardias are fairly care - complimentary works . water supply the layer once or twice per week during dry conditions and hold a balanced plant food in the spring when novel growth appears . You do n’t have to deadhead the blossoms , but doing so keeps the plants looking tidy and might encourage more blooms . If your blanket flower look straggly and unkempt in midsummer , shear them down . They ’ll come back with a more compact conformation and produce more flowers . In general , gaillardias bloom from midsummer to descend .
Gaillardias appeal both butterfly and bird , such as finches . Leave a few seed head in place for the fowl . go forth these seeds also ensures a new hatful of plant life the following spring . apprehend up and divide gaillardias every 2 to 3 years . Space the plants 12 to 18 inch asunder .
Gaillardia suffers few disease pests when given right produce conditions . In cockeyed , heavy soils , though , the plants might develop antecedent hogwash disease . Powdery mildew often hit in late summer , but seldom causes any serious damage . To denigrate problems , place gaillardia so air circulate freely and use drip irrigation instead of overhead sprinkler . Use upraise beds or amend heavy , cadaver land . As the plant geezerhood , you might find the center of the clump dwindling or dying . rive out this portion and replant the tabu clumps to regenerate the plant . Avoid mulch or overwatering blanket flowers .
Varieties
mutual blanketflower(Gaillarida x grandiflora)is the one you probably know and love . It grows 2 to 3 feet improbable and the flowers have traditional yellow , orangish and red-faced scoring . ‘ Bijou’(Gaillardia aristata ‘ Bijou’)is a compact miscellanea develop only 12 inch marvellous . This industrial plant has brilliant ruby-red flowers with chicken scoring . ‘ Frenzy’(Gaillardia ‘ Frenzy’)has strange bloom with small rays , rather than the gradatory flower petal . This plant life arise 2 human foot improbable . ‘ Arizona Sun’(Gaillardia ‘ Arizona Sun’)was a 2005 All American Selections success , treasure for its succinct growth , prolific blossom and early bloom meter . This cultivar flower up to one calendar month before other blanket flowers . Gaillardia pulchellais native to Mexico and Central America . It grow 6 inches to 1 foot improbable , with fertile , modest flowers . It is unfearing in USDA zones 10 and 11 ; elsewhere , uprise it as an yearly .
For more information about Gaillardia blanket flowers , visit :
plant for Water Wise Pollination Gardensfrom Colorado State University Extension
Gaillardiafrom Cornell University Home Gardening
YouTube underwrite an “ orange and lemons ” varietyof Gaillardia .
When she ’s not writing about horticulture , nutrient and canning , Julie Christensen enjoys spending prison term in her garden , which includes perennials , vegetables and yield trees . She ’s written one C of gardening articles for the Gardening Channel , Garden Guides and San Francisco Gate , as well as several vitamin E - books .
