Blanket Flower Gaillardia Apricot Honey
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ABOUT
Gaillardia Apricot Honey, commonly known as Blanket Flower, is a vibrant and colorful perennial that boasts a unique appeal. This plant is known for its beautiful daisy-like flowers that have a warm blend of colors. The blossoms are characterized by their apricot to honey-colored petals that radiate outwards from a center disk. The center of each flower often displays a rich, burnt orange or reddish hue that can sometimes appear almost brown, creating a striking contrast against the lighter petals. The petals themselves are long, broad, and slightly overlapping, sometimes exhibiting a subtle gradient of shades that can range from soft yellows to richer, deeper apricot tones. These colors can give the impression of a glowing, sunlit effect. Its foliage is typically bright green and forms a complementary backdrop for the radiant blooms. The leaves are generally lance-shaped and may have a slightly hairy texture, contributing to the overall hardiness of the plant. Overall, Gaillardia Apricot Honey exudes a cheerful and inviting presence, with its warm, sunny blooms that attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Apricot Honey Blanket Flower
Common names
Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Apricot Honey'
ToxicityTo humans
Blanket flower, which includes the Gaillardia Apricot Honey variety, is not commonly known to be toxic to humans. There is no widespread documentation of adverse effects resulting from ingesting this plant. However, as with any non-food plant, it's generally advisable not to consume any parts of it due to the potential for unknown allergic reactions or individual sensitivities.
To pets
Blanket flower is not typically listed as a toxic plant to pets such as dogs and cats. While it is not considered poisonous, it's still recommended to prevent pets from ingesting plants that are not part of their regular diet to avoid potential stomach upset or an unexpected allergic reaction.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Apricot
Height
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Spread
1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
North America
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Gaillardia Apricot Honey is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, aiding pollination in the garden.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it has good drought tolerance, making it suitable for xeriscaping and water-efficient gardens.
- Long Blooming: This plant offers a long flowering period from early summer to fall, providing continuous color and interest in the landscape.
- Low Maintenance: It requires minimal care, making it a good choice for gardeners looking for low-maintenance plants.
- Deer Resistant: Gaillardia Apricot Honey is generally resistant to deer, which can be particularly useful in areas where deer browsing is a problem.
- Easy to Propagate: It is easy to propagate from seed or by dividing clumps, allowing gardeners to expand their display without additional cost.
- Colorful Addition: With its vibrant apricot to a honey-colored flowers, it adds a warm, cheerful hue to any garden setting.
- Versatile Usage: The plant can be used in various garden settings, including borders, rock gardens, and as a groundcover, due to its spreading habit.
- Heat Tolerant: It withstands high temperatures, ideal for hot and sunny locations.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Companion planting: Gaillardia can be used in companion planting to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which can improve the pollination of nearby crops and plants.
- Erosion control: Due to its dense and hardy nature, Gaillardia can be used to prevent soil erosion in sandy or depleted soils, making it useful for xeriscaping or rehabilitating disturbed lands.
- Dye production: The brightly colored flowers of Gaillardia can be used to make natural dyes for coloring fabrics, though this is less common today with the availability of synthetic dyes.
- Photography subject: With its vibrant and distinctive blossoms, Gaillardia makes an excellent subject for botanical photographers and artists.
- Thematic gardens: Gaillardia can be used in thematic garden designs, such as pollinator gardens, prairie-style landscapes, or even wild west-themed gardens due to its North American prairie origins.
- Educational tool: Gaillardia is often used in educational settings like schools and botanical gardens to teach about plant biology, ecology, and the importance of native species in local ecosystems.
- Crafting: Dried Gaillardia flowers can be used in crafting projects like potpourri, dried flower arrangements, or as decoration in scrapbooking and other paper crafts.
- Culinary decoration: While not commonly eaten, the petals of Gaillardia can be used for decorative purposes on salads and desserts (it’s crucial to ensure that any plant parts used for consumption are free of pesticides and not harmful).
- Seasonal ornamentation: Gaillardia, with its fiery orange and yellow colors, can also be incorporated into fall-themed decorations, both indoors and outdoors.
- Natural confetti: Dried petals of Gaillardia can be scattered as natural, biodegradable confetti for outdoor celebrations, reducing the environmental impact compared to synthetic confetti.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Blanket Flower is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Blanket Flower is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Optimism: Gaillardia, also known as Blanket Flower, often symbolizes an optimistic outlook on life, as its bright and cheerful flowers continue to bloom throughout the summer months, representing positivity and resilience.
- Endurance: The Blanket Flower's ability to withstand hot and dry conditions speaks to its symbolism for endurance and persistence, reflecting an ability to thrive even in challenging environments.
- Warmth and Friendship: The warm, fiery colors of Blanket Flower blooms are reminiscent of the sun and symbolize warmth, affection, and strong bonds of friendship.
- Protection: Named for its tendency to spread and cover the ground like a blanket, the Blanket Flower can also symbolize protection and safety, providing a natural 'blanket' over the land.
WaterBlanket flowers, such as the Gaillardia Apricot Honey, should be watered deeply and then allowed to dry out before the next watering to promote strong root development. They don't require frequent watering, making them quite drought-resistant. During the growing season, a watering schedule of once a week with about 1 gallon of water per plant should suffice, depending on the weather and soil conditions. In particularly hot or windy weather, you might need to water more frequently, but always check that the soil has dried out first. In the winter, reduce watering as the plant's water needs decrease significantly.
LightBlanket flowers prefer full sunlight to thrive, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. The Gaillardia Apricot Honey will do best in a spot that receives bright, unfiltered sunlight throughout the day. Avoid planting them in areas that are shaded or where buildings or trees block a significant amount of sunlight, as this can impede their growth and flowering capabilities.
TemperatureBlanket flowers are well-suited to a range of temperatures and can tolerate a degree of cold weather. The Gaillardia Apricot Honey can typically endure temperatures down to about 20°F and as high as around 90°F. Ideally, they flourish in temperatures between 60°F and 80°F, which supports optimal growth and flowering.
PruningPruning blanket flowers involves deadheading spent blooms to promote further flowering and can be done throughout the blooming season. The Gaillardia Apricot Honey should be deadheaded regularly to maintain plant vigor and appearance. In addition, cut back the plants in late fall or early spring to help rejuvenate them and prepare them for the growing season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilBlanket Flower 'Apricot Honey' thrives in well-draining soil, with a preference for sandy or loamy textures. The best soil mix is two parts garden soil, one part coarse sand, and one part compost. Adjust the soil pH to slightly acidic to neutral, around 6.0 to 7.0, for optimal growth.
RepottingBlanket Flower 'Apricot Honey' should be repotted every 2-3 years to avoid becoming root-bound and to refresh the potting mix. Spring is the best time for repotting to allow the plant to establish in the new soil before the growing season.
Humidity & MistingBlanket Flower 'Apricot Honey' is tolerant of dry conditions and does not require high humidity. It thrives in average atmospheric conditions, and it's not necessary to artificially adjust the humidity levels for this plant.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Ensure full sun, well-draining soil, and dry air for indoor Blanket Flower.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil; water sparingly for outdoor Blanket Flowers.
Hardiness zone
3-10 USDA
Life cycleThe life cycle of the Gaillardia "Apricot Honey," commonly known as Blanket Flower, begins with seed germination, usually in late winter or early spring when temperatures are suitable. Following germination, seedlings emerge and establish a root system. As they grow, the plants develop a rosette of leaves at ground level, and then send up flowering stems as they mature. Throughout the summer, the Apricot Honey Blanket Flower blooms, displaying its distinctive apricot to yellow-colored daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators. After flowering, the plant sets seeds, which can be dispersed by wind or wildlife, completing the reproductive stage. In locations with suitable conditions, the Blanket Flower may act as a perennial, dying back to the ground in winter and returning in spring, or it may behave as an annual, completing its entire life cycle in one season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: The Blanket Flower, often referred to by its cultivar name Gaillardia 'Apricot Honey', can most commonly be propagated through division. This method involves separating an established plant into smaller parts that each have a segment of the root system. Division is ideally done during early spring or fall when the plant is not in active growth. Carefully dig around the plant and lift it from the soil, then use a sharp knife or spade to divide the clump into smaller sections, ensuring each piece has both roots and shoots. Replant the sections immediately, spacing them about 18 inches (approximately 45 centimeters) apart to allow for adequate growth and air circulation. Water the new plants thoroughly to help establish them. This method is quick, maintains the characteristics of the cultivar, and rejuvenates older plants by promoting vigorous growth.
