Blanket Flower Gallardia Perennial Long Lasting Bloom for Cutting or Butterflies
Gallardia, commonly known as blanket flower, is a popular perennial flower prized for its vibrant and colorful blooms.
**Description of the Plant:**
- **Scientific Name:** Gaillardia spp.
- **Common Names:** Blanket flower, Indian blanket, Firewheel
**Plant Appearance:**
- Gallardia plants typically grow to a height of 1 to 2 feet (30 to 601 cm) and have a bushy, clumping habit.
- The leaves are lance-shaped and green, often with fine hairs.
- The most distinctive feature of gallardia is its daisy-like flowers, which come in a variety of vibrant colors, including shades of red, orange, yellow, and burgundy.
- The flowers have a prominent central disk surrounded by colorful ray petals, giving them a striking appearance.
**Where and How to Grow:**
- **Hardiness Zones:** Gallardia is a hardy perennial that can grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 10, depending on the variety.
- **Sunlight:** Plant gallardia in full sun. It thrives in bright, sunny locations.
- **Soil:** Gallardia prefers well-drained soil with good organic content. It can tolerate somewhat sandy or loamy soils.
- **Watering:** Once established, gallardia is drought-tolerant and prefers infrequent, deep watering. Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.
**Special Attributes:**
- **Long Blooming Period:** Gallardia is known for its long-lasting blooms, which often appear from late spring to early fall, attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees.
- **Low Maintenance:** It is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal care once established.
- **Attracts Wildlife:** Besides pollinators, gallardia can also attract birds, making it a great addition to wildlife gardens.
- **Cut Flowers:** The striking flowers make excellent cut flowers for bouquets.
**How to Grow from Seed:**
1. **Seed Selection:** You can start gallardia easily from seeds.
2. **Timing:** Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area. Alternatively, you can sow them directly in the garden in late spring or early summer.
3. **Sowing Indoors:** Plant the seeds in seed-starting trays or pots filled with a seed-starting mix. Press the seeds lightly into the soil and keep them consistently moist. Place the trays/pots in a warm, sunny location.
4. **Transplanting:** Once the seedlings have grown to a height of 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) and have developed several true leaves, they can be transplanted into your garden or larger containers.
5. **Outdoor Planting:** If sowing directly outdoors, prepare the soil by removing weeds and improving drainage. Sow the seeds about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) deep, and keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings are established.
6. **Spacing:** Space gallardia plants about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) apart in the garden.
7. **Maintenance:** Water young plants regularly until they establish themselves. Once established, gallardia is relatively drought-tolerant and low-maintenance.
8. **Deadheading:** To encourage continuous blooming, deadhead (remove spent flowers) regularly.
9. **Overwintering:** In colder climates, mulch the plants in late fall to protect them from harsh winter conditions.
By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the beautiful and long-lasting blooms of gallardia in your garden, and with proper care, it will return year after year as a resilient perennial.