Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Also called Firewheel Flower, this stunning perennial is native to the Great Plains and can be found growing wild throughout much of the United States. The plants generally bloom in their second year and easily perennialize to provide garden blooms for many years. Blanket Flowers are very tolerant of drought and we think they look beautiful planted in a perennial bed with coneflower and swamp marigold. Pollinators love the blooms and they make an exceptional cut-flower.
Meriwether Lewis collected the first specimen of this wildflower on July 7, 1806. His research of this and other native species was completed by botanist Frederick Traugott Pursch in 1813, who completed a catalogue of the species discovered on the famous expedition. The genus name "Gaillardia" honors an 18th century French botanist named Gaillard de Charentonneau. The common name Indian Blanket seems to come from the similarity of the brightly colored blossoms to Native American weaving.
Origin:Â We harvested the parent seed of our Blanket Flower from wild plants that were growing along the Blue Ridge Parkway near Black Mountain, NC.
(Approximately 50 seeds per packet)
Germination Rate: All of our seeds exceed 75% germination and are tested every 6 months.
Planting Instructions: Â Direct sow Indian Blanket flower seeds in late spring, planting 1/4" below the surface of the soil and compacting it slightly. Keep the soil evenly moist and at a temperature of 70-75 degrees F until germination, which widely varies from 20-70 days. Since these plants do not transplant well, they should be planted in peat or paper pots if started indoors.
