Whether planting a formal flower bed or working to create a carefree wildflower meadow, Gaillardia remains a popular choice for home gardeners. Also known as blanket flower, these plants get their name from the bright, colorful blooms and ability to quickly spread within a growing space.
Planning an ornamental garden that incorporates blanket flowers will be both rewarding and beautiful, as long as some consideration is taken at planting time.
Choosing Companions for Blanket Flowers
Blanket flower can be grown from seed or starter plants can be purchased from local garden centers. Regardless, growers will need to place the flower in a well-draining location that receives full sun. While blanket flower does well when planted alone, more plants to grow with Gaillardias can elevate its appeal and bring in additional pollinators.
When choosing companions for blanket flowers, it will be important to consider several factors. While annual flowers will need to be replaced every year, perennials will help keep future maintenance low.
Companions for blanket flowers should also share similar growing conditions. Gaillardia is a drought tolerant plant which is able to thrive in soil with low fertility. This aspect makes it an ideal candidate for less desirable planting areas in the yard. Other wildflowers with the same qualities are among the best plants to grow with Gaillardias.
What Plants to Grow with Gaillardias
The selection of blanket flower companion plants will also depend upon bloom time. Gaillardia plants have a long bloom period, often flowering from early summer into fall. While some blanket flower companion plants may also have extended periods of bloom, growers may want to consider plants with several different bloom windows in order to maintain visual interest throughout the entire season.
With their tall, wiry stems and red yellow blooms, the choices of companion plants for blanket flowers are limitless. Among the most popular combinations are:
While plants like coreopsis provide complementary color and shape, those such as daylily offer reliable and consistent bloom times. By carefully weighing and researching each option, growers are able to better select flower companions which best suit the overall design of their growing space.
-
Grow Rubber Rabbitbrush For Native Color: Cultivate Pollinator-Friendly Chamisa ShrubsHardy chamisa shrubs thrive in tricky arid spots and provide a welcome boost to pollinators – as well as a burst of vibrant yellow. Here’s how to grow rubber rabbitbrush in your yard
-
Christmas Cactus Watering Guide: How Often To Water Plants For Better BloomsDiscover how often to water a Christmas cactus, how much, and how to avoid under and overwatering for healthy plants that flower reliably over the holidays.
-
Blanket Flower Deadheading: How And When To Deadhead Blanket FlowersBlanket flower is a native North American wildflower that has become popular in gardens. Does it need deadheading though? Find out here.
-
Gaillardia Won’t Flower – Reasons For Blanket Flower Not BloomingBlanket flowers get a lot of pretty blooms, even in tough conditions. When there are no flowers, something could be wrong. Learn more here.
-
Container Grown Blanket Flowers – Growing Blanket Flower In A PotPlanting perennial flowers in pots can add years of color. Potted blanket flowers are just one example of a versatile and easy-to-grow plant for containers that is sure to delight throughout the summer season. Learn how to care for blanket flowers in containers here.
-
Blanket Flowers In Winter: Tips On Preparing Blanket Flower For WinterBlanket flower is a short lived perennial that tends to reseed. There are several schools of thought about preparing blanket flower for winter. Some gardeners feel pruning and mulching is the way to go. Others do not. Learn more here.
-
Blanket Flowers Care: How To Grow Blanket FlowerGrowing blanket flowers are an interesting and colorful addition to the flowerbed or garden. Learning how to grow blanket flower is a fairly simple process, and this article can help with that.
