Tip #3: Blanket Flower (Gaillardia)
Blanket Flower brings the fiery hues of a summer sunset directly into your landscape. Native to the rugged plains of North America, this daisy-like perennial features striking bi-color petals in brilliant shades of crimson, rust, orange, and yellow. They evolved in harsh, dry environments, naturally adapting deep taproot systems that search far below the soil surface for hidden moisture.
These incredibly robust plants perform reliably across USDA Zones 3 through 10. Once Blanket Flowers settle into your garden, you can completely forget about your watering can. They easily survive on less than one inch of water every two weeks. In fact, providing too much water or planting them in overly rich, loamy soil actually shortens their lifespan and reduces their vibrant floral output.
Plant Gaillardia in a spot with full, unrelenting sun. To extend their blooming season from early summer all the way into late autumn, simply pinch off the faded flower heads. However, you should leave the final flush of blooms on the stems as winter approaches. The dried seed heads provide a vital, nutrient-rich food source for local goldfinches and sparrows during the colder months.
