The Gardeners Almanac

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Gaillardia

Common name: Blanket Flower

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Week Numbers

Coldframe

Compost

Containers

Deadheading

Harden Off

Heating

Planting out

Pricking out

Seed sowing

Watering

Overview:

Red Daisy like flowers   with petals edged in yellow

Gaillardia pulchella

Gaillardia pulchella are half hardy annuals that are greatly desired for their masses of 75mm (3") flowers in shades of yellow, orange, copper or a deep scarlet, depending on the cultivar.

The flowers that appear from July till first frosts can sometimes be double and or bi-coloured.

These long lasting flowers attract butterflies and are useful in flower arrangements.

Plants range in height from 300-600mm (12"-24") with a similar spread making them suitable for growing in herbaceous borders and containers.


Gaillardia require hot, dry conditions and are drought tolerant meaning light well drained soils* are most suited to this plant.

Too much water in the soil can cause the plant to develop root rot, a fungal disease that can destroy the roots of the plant.

*If grown in a container / planter the soil can be designed for its needs.

Remove dead flowers to prolong the flowering period, and reduce the possibility of self seeding.


Cultivation:
Week 15:

Sow seed in pots/ trays of seed compost and germinate at at a temperature of 20°-24°C (68°-75°F).

Alternatively sow Week 20-22

Germination should take five to seven days.


Week 17:

Prick out the seedlings into cell trays or boxes when large enough to handle.


Week 19:

Place in coldframe to harden off until planting out time.


Week 21:

Plant out 300mm (12") apart in a sunny well-drained location, although they will grow reasonably well in most soils and shaded positions.