Plant profile

Blanketflowers

Genus Gaillardia

Blanketflowers (Gaillardia) are bright, long-blooming wildflowers that can bring steady color and pollinator visits to sunny gardens, schoolyards, and even containers.

Plant Type

Wildflowers (herbaceous perennials) > Blanketflowers

Aliases

Blanketflower

Native Range

Includes species native to parts of North America; many garden plants are selected varieties within the genus.

Bloom window

Long season in warm months (often from early summer into fall, depending on conditions)

Overview Summary Impact Recognition Location Requirements Glossary Get Involved

OVERVIEW

About This Plant

Blanketflowers (Gaillardia spp.) are bold, sunny wildflowers that fit well in pollinator patches, school gardens, and containers. Their open, daisy-like blooms are easy for many pollinators to visit, and they can flower for a long stretch when they’re happy.

For best results, give blanketflowers plenty of sun and soil that drains well. They’re a good choice for spots that dry out between waterings, and they’re often easier to care for than plants that need consistently moist soil.

If you want more pollinator activity, plant blanketflowers in a small group rather than as a single plant. Pair them with a few other flowers that bloom earlier and later so your patch has something in bloom across more of the season.

Keep care simple: water new plants to help them settle in, deadhead to encourage more blooms, and avoid pesticides—especially on or near open flowers where pollinators are feeding.

Best role for pollinators

Sunny spots where you want bold color, easy care, and frequent pollinator activity

Blanketflowers (Gaillardia spp.) — https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/141041225 Photo: (c) John Boldt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) | CC-BY-NC | iNaturalist

FAST FACTS

Quick Details

Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.

Category	Details
Also known as	Blanketflower
Bloom window	Long season in warm months (often from early summer into fall, depending on conditions)
Typical height	Low to medium height (varies by species and variety)
Pollinators supported	Bees, Butterflies
Light & moisture	Sun-loving; does best in well-drained soil and avoids staying soggy.
Best roles for pollinators	Sunny spots where you want bold color, easy care, and frequent pollinator activity

SUMMARY

If You Remember Three Things

A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.

What they do

Blanketflowers provide bright, open blooms that are easy for many pollinators to visit.

What they need

Plenty of sun and soil that drains well.

One best action

Put them in your sunniest spot and skip pesticides so pollinators can safely use the flowers.

IMPACT

Why Plant This?

Blanketflowers are a practical way to add bright blooms that pollinators can use, especially in sunny, well-drained spots where some other flowers struggle.

Blanketflowers get their common name from their bold, woven-looking color patterns—like a bright blanket spread across the garden.

Key Impacts

What it Supports

Open, daisy-like flowers are easy to land on and explore.
A long bloom window can help keep your space flowering when other plants take breaks.
Works in small spaces—one pot can still make a difference.

RECOGNITION

Identification Guide

Use these quick clues to recognize blanketflowers in gardens and naturalized plantings.

Leaves

Leaves vary by type, but are often narrow to lance-shaped and may feel slightly rough or fuzzy.

Flowers

Daisy-like flowers with a central disk; petals are often two-toned in red/orange and yellow.

Fruits

After flowering, the seed heads dry and can be left for natural reseeding or tidied up for a neater look.

LOCATION

Where It Grows

Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.

Habitats

Sunny, open areas
Well-drained soils
Meadow-style plantings and naturalized garden spaces

Where it is often used

Pollinator patch or school garden bed
Sunny border edging
Containers and planters
Low-maintenance color in well-drained spots

SEASONALITY

When It Blooms

Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.

Bloom window

Blanketflowers are often chosen for their long run of blooms.

Bloom Season Role: A steady, mid-to-late season flower that can keep a patch looking lively.

Seasonal benefits

Helps keep your patch flowering for longer
Pairs well with earlier and later bloomers to cover more of the season

REQUIREMENTS

What It Needs

The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.

Sun exposure

Choose the sunniest location you have for the most flowers.

Soil type

Well-drained soil is key; avoid heavy, waterlogged spots.

Moisture needs

Water to help new plants settle in, then let the soil dry a bit between waterings.

Planting method

Plant in spring or early fall when conditions are mild; give plants room for airflow.

Mulching tips

Use a light layer of mulch if needed, but keep the crown from staying damp.

GARDENING GUIDE

How to Grow It

Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.

Planting tips

Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well (or use a pot with drainage holes).
Loosen the soil and remove weeds so young plants don’t have to compete.
Plant at the same depth as the pot it came in and firm the soil gently.
Water in well, then water again only when the top of the soil has started to dry.
Plant a few together for a more noticeable “landing zone” for pollinators.

Seasonal care

Deadhead (snip off spent blooms) to encourage more flowering and keep plants tidy.
Water during long dry spells, especially in containers.
Divide or refresh clumps when they get crowded or bloom less.
Leave some seed heads if you’d like a more natural look or possible reseeding.

What not to do

Planting in too much shade
Overwatering or planting where water sits
Spraying pesticides on or near blooms
Planting a single plant and expecting lots of pollinator activity

Pairings

Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom

Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.

Early Bloom

Wild lupines
Penstemons
Early-blooming native asters (where available)

Mid-Season Bloom

Bee balm
Coneflowers
Coreopsis

Late-Season Bloom

Asters
Goldenrods
Late-blooming salvias

If you’re planting at a school or shared space, choose a spot where flowers won’t be trampled and where watering is easy to remember—near a path, hose, or rain barrel.

GLOSSARY