Blanket Flower Gaillardia × grandiflora 'Sunset Flash' (Sunset Dwarf Series)

Water

Blanket Flower should be watered deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings to encourage deep root growth. Generally, you can water these plants once a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time. During hot, dry spells, water may be needed twice a week, but always check the soil moisture before adding water to prevent overwatering. Reduce watering in the fall as the plant prepares for dormancy, and in winter, water sparingly only if the soil is completely dry. It's better to underwater slightly than to overwater, as Gaillardia is drought-tolerant and prefers well-drained soil.

Light

Blanket Flower thrives in full sun, meaning at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal location is an open, sunny bed where the plant can receive unfiltered, direct light throughout the day. Gaillardia can tolerate some light shade, especially in the hottest regions, but flowering may be reduced in less than full sun conditions.

Temperature

Blanket Flowers are heat tolerant and can handle summer temperatures well into the 90s Fahrenheit. They can survive minimum winter temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit but perform best in areas where the temperature does not frequently drop below freezing. The ideal growing temperatures range from 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, providing a suitable environment for robust growth and flowering.

Pruning

Pruning Blanket Flower involves deadheading spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering throughout the season. Cut back the plants in early spring to remove any dead or damaged tissue and promote bushy growth. Pruning can be done every few weeks during the blooming season to keep the plants looking tidy and to stimulate further blooming.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Blanket Flower 'Sunset Flash' requires well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. A mix of loamy or sandy soil enriched with organic matter or compost is ideal. It's important to avoid heavy, wet soils to prevent root rot.

Repotting

Blanket Flower 'Sunset Flash' doesn't need frequent repotting; it's often treated as an annual or biennial. Repotting every 2-3 years is usually sufficient if it's grown as a perennial, to refresh the soil and manage the plant's size.

Humidity & Misting

Blanket Flower 'Sunset Flash' tolerates a wide range of humidity levels and does well in the average humidity found in most environments. They do not require high humidity and are quite resilient to dry conditions.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Ensure full sunlight and well-drained soil for indoor growth.

• Outdoor

  Place in full sun, well-drained soil, water regularly.

• Hardiness zone

  3-10 USDA.

Life cycle

Gaillardia × grandiflora 'Sunset Flash', commonly known as Blanket Flower, begins its life cycle as a seed, which when sown, germinates in warm conditions to produce a small seedling. The seedling grows into a vegetative stage, where it develops a rosette of leaves at the soil surface and establishes a robust root system. As the plant matures, it enters the flowering stage, typically in late spring to summer, where it produces bright, daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers turn into seed heads that mature and release seeds, ensuring the next generation. Throughout the growing season, Blanket Flower may undergo several flowering cycles, especially if spent flowers are regularly deadheaded. In the fall or with the onset of cold weather, the above-ground parts of the plant die back, although the root system may survive and regenerate the following spring if the plant is perennial in the garden's climate.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to early summer

• The Blanket Flower, specifically Gaillardia × grandiflora 'Sunset Flash', can be propagated effectively using seed sowing as its most popular method. Normally, the best time to propagate by seed is in the spring after the risk of frost has passed, ensuring a warm soil temperature for optimal germination. To propagate, seeds should be sown directly onto the surface of well-draining soil and lightly covered with a sprinkling of soil or vermiculite. The soil needs to be kept moist but not waterlogged, and seeds typically germinate within 2 to 3 weeks if kept at a temperature around 70-75 degrees Fahrenheit (21-24 degrees Celsius). Once seedlings emerge and grow strong enough to handle, they can be thinned out or transplanted to their final positions where they can enjoy full sun and continue to mature into vibrant, flowering plants.