How to Propagate Indian Blanket Flower
Indian blanket flower (also called firewheel, gaillardia aristata or grandiflora) is a perennial or annual that's easy to grow and drought-tolerant. It has daisy-like flowers in bright colors (orange, yellow, and red) and is native to Canada and the U.S. In fact, Indian blanket flowers naturally "blanket" fields with their bright blooms. The blooms are long-lasting and grow up to 4 inches wide.
If the dead blooms are cut off (or "deadheaded"), blanket flowers bloom from early summer through fall. Ideal for butterfly gardens or for filling in difficult areas of the landscape, blanket flowers, like most wildflowers, are also easy to propagate.
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Instructions
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Grow blanket flowers from seed by planting seeds directly into a garden bed, in the fall, following the seed package instructions. In warm climates, the new plants will bloom the following spring. In colder climates, they bloom their second spring. Space seeds 14 to 16 inches apart, or broadcast them and thin out once they are 2 inches high.
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Plant seeds, alternatively, in the spring and cover with 1/8 inch of potting soil. (Either method of planting seeds is acceptable, but seeds planted in the spring will take longer to bloom.)
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Propagate seeds indoors in the early spring, if you prefer. Place seeds in flats or small, individual containers, using potting soil. Keep seeds at 55 to 64 degrees F and give them plenty of light.
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Divide up the rootball of mature perennial blanket flowers, as an alternative way to create new plants. In the early fall, simply cut the plant in two with a spade, dig up one half, and plant it in the soil.
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Sprinkle seeds with water from a watering can, or water divisions in well with a hose until the water begins to puddle.
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Tips & Warnings
Divide up Indian blanket flowers every 2-3 years.
Provide your new plants with full sun in the garden. Although Indian blanket flowers don't mind poor soil; their soil should be well-draining and loose for best results. Blanket flowers are prone to rot, mildew, rust, leaf spots and white smut if they are planted in poorly draining soil
Fertilizer isn't necessary and may damage young plants. Over-watering may also damage plants; remember, Indian blanket-flowers are drought tolerant.
Watch Indian blanket flowers--especially young, new plants--for signs of pests. Aphids, slugs, snails and thrips all love blanket flowers.
Protect the roots of blanket flowers from frost with a thick layer of mulch.
