Blanket Flower

Richly colored native perennial wildflower with carefree, long-lasting blooms. Reddish orange petals have yellow tips that surround a red center. A great low-maintenance addition to any garden, blooming July until the end of summer. Attracts pollinators, drought-tolerant, and deer resistant. Grows 18-30”.  100 seeds    PLANTING Gaillardia aristata Perennial,  zones 3-10 Germination: 14-30 days Germination Temperature: Optimum soil temperatures 70-75ºF. Seed Planting Depth: 1/8" deep Starting Indoors:  Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Provide 70-75ºF soil temperatures. Transplant after the last frost,12-18" apart. Water seedlings regularly until established.  Sowing Outdoors: Around the last frost date when the soil temperature reaches 65-70ºF. Sow a few seeds 3-6" apart, thinning out to 12-18" apart. When thinning out try transplanting the seedlings into other places in the garden. Water seedlings regularly until established. Growth Habit: Upright Height and Width: 18-30" x 24" Spacing: 12-18" apart Light Needs: Full sun Soil Needs: Poor to average, well-drained, tolerates dry soil. Approximate days to flower from seed: 90 days Uses: Cut flowers, flower beds, wildflower and cottage gardens, attracts butterflies  Care: Deadheading prolongs flowering but is not necessary, seed heads are attractive by themselves. Cut back in the fall. Divide every few years.