Will Blanket Flowers Bloom From the Seeds the First Year?

Blanket flowers create a vast carpet of color when planted in fields.

Blanket flowers, or Gaillardia pulchella, are a wildflower or weed that spreads by producing new seed. The plant gets its name from the blanket of color it displays when planted en masse. Blanket flower is also known as Indian blanket.

Features

Roadside wildflowers enhance nature's beauty.

Blanket flower is native to many eastern states and is often planted by the roadside in wildflower mixes. The seeds sprout easily, even in poor soil. The plants are tolerant to salt, heat and drought.

Planting

You can sow blanket flower seeds directly over soil or start them indoors and transplant them in the spring. Flower shoots will appear at just about the time your plant is ready to move outside. The University of Arkansas recommends that gardeners cut off any new flower shoots before transplanting to direct more energy to root growth for the health of the plant.

Types

Several different colors and sizes of blanket flower exist, including red, orange, apricot and a red-and-yellow combination. The plant's flowers range in height from 10 to 24 inches tall. The blooming season is June through October.

Considerations

Blanket flowers are susceptible to powdery mildew and aphid damage, but they are very easy to grow. They will rebloom if frequently deadheaded throughout the summer.

References

• University of Arkansas: Plant of the Week
• University of Illinois Extension: Blanket Flower