How to Grow Red Blanket Flower
Red Blanket Flower
Gaillardia × grandiflora 'Red Blanket'
flowerRed Blanket is a compact cultivar of blanket flower featuring vibrant red and yellow daisy-like blooms that appear throughout the growing season. This hardy perennial is drought-tolerant once established and attracts pollinators while requiring minimal maintenance. It's ideal for borders, containers, and naturalized plantings.
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Example Red Blanket Flower timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Red Blanket Flower
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Red Blanket Flower blooms
Around Jun 16≈ 60 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Red Blanket Flower dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-9, with best performance in zones 4-8
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seedlings emerge with two small seed leaves, developing true leaves within 1-2 weeks
Keep soil lightly moist but not waterlogged; provide bright light; thin seedlings to prevent crowding
Vegetative Growth
4-6 weeksPlant develops a compact mound of narrow, lance-shaped green foliage; stems gradually thicken and spread
Water moderately; allow soil to dry somewhat between waterings; begin fertilizing bi-weekly with balanced fertilizer
Budding & Early Flowering
2-3 weeksFlower buds begin forming at stem tips; first red and yellow blooms appear
Continue moderate watering; deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms; reduce nitrogen fertilizer to promote flowering
Peak Flowering
8-12 weeks (June-September in most regions)Plant produces abundant 2-3 inch daisy-like flowers with red petals and yellow tips; blooms continuously in warm weather
Deadhead regularly for continuous blooms; water only during extended dry periods once established; minimal supplemental feeding needed
Decline & Dormancy
3-4 months (October-March)Flowering slows as temperatures cool; foliage may fade; plant enters winter dormancy
Stop fertilizing; reduce watering significantly; can cut back dead foliage in late fall or early spring; mulch lightly in cold zones
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use neem oil or insecticidal soap if severe; improve air circulation
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Spray with strong water stream; use insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators like ladybugs
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Ensure good air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur or neem oil at first signs; remove affected leaves
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Improve drainage; avoid overwatering; remove affected plants; disinfect tools; replant in well-draining soil
Uses
Edible Flower Garnish
CulinaryBlanket flower petals are technically edible and can add color and a slightly peppery flavor to salads, cocktails, and desserts. [source]
Pollinator Magnet
WildlifeRed Blanket flowers are highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects, making them invaluable for pollinator gardens and wildlife habitats. [source]
Cut Flower Arrangement
HouseholdThe long-lasting blooms are excellent for fresh or dried flower arrangements, providing vibrant color in vases for a week or more. [source]
Traditional Herbal Use
MedicinalNative American tribes historically used blanket flowers in teas and poultices for mild medicinal purposes, though clinical evidence is limited. [source]
Dried Flower Crafts
CraftFlower heads dry well and can be pressed or preserved for crafting, including wreaths, potpourri, and decorative arrangements. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Blanket flowers don't require harvesting but thrive on deadheading. Pinch off spent flower heads just below the bloom to encourage continuous flowering throughout the season. For cut flowers, harvest in the morning when stems are crisp; blooms last 5-7 days in a vase. Collect seed heads in fall if you wish to collect seeds for next season.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Red Blanket Flower is named after the blanket-like appearance of entire wildflower meadows covered in red and yellow blooms, particularly in native prairie habitats.
- 🌱 Gaillardia flowers exhibit a unique color pattern where the outer petals are typically red-orange and the inner petals display yellow tips, creating a striking bicolor effect that attracts insects more effectively than single-colored blooms.
- 🌱 This cultivar is notably drought-tolerant because of its deep taproots, which can extend several feet into the soil, allowing it to access moisture unavailable to shallow-rooted plants during dry periods.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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