Wildflower/Perennial
Blanket flower
Gaillardia x grandiflora · Asteraceae
Also called: Gaillardia, Firewheel (applied to related G. pulchella)
Blanket flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora) is a low-water wildflower/perennial well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It thrives in full sun.
Blanket flower at a glance
- Water use
- Low (established)
- Sun
- Full sun; tolerates Tucson's intense exposure well.
- Mature size
- 1-2 ft tall and 1-2 ft wide.
- Growth rate
- Fast.
- Bloom
- Warm bands of red, orange, and yellow (blanket-like); cultivars range from solid yellow to deep red., Spring through fall in Tucson, with peak bloom in late spring and again after monsoon; very long bloom season.
- Cold hardiness
- Hardy in USDA 9a-9b; tolerates frost with some dieback and handles desert heat better than most non-natives.
- Soil
- Prefers lean, sandy or gritty, well-drained soil. Tolerates poor, rocky, alkaline Tucson soils; dislikes heavy clay and wet feet.
- Native range
- Garden hybrid of North American species (G. aristata x G. pulchella); parent species range across the central/western U.S. The related G. pulchella occurs in the Southwest, but this hybrid is not a Sonoran Desert native.
- Best used as
- Pollinator garden, Xeriscape and low-water beds, Wildflower/cottage plantings, Cut flowers, Containers, Erosion control on slopes
- Wildlife
- Strongly attracts bees and butterflies; finches and other birds feed on the seeds.
- Toxicity
- Non-toxic to mildly irritating; sap can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Not considered poisonous to pets or children.
How to grow Blanket flower in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Drought-tolerant once established. Water deeply every 7-10 days in summer, less in winter; allow soil to dry between irrigations. Overwatering and poor drainage cause crown rot and short life.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Very light feeder. A single spring application of a low/balanced fertilizer or compost is plenty; rich soil and excess fertilizer cause floppy growth and fewer blooms.
Pruning & care
Deadhead regularly to extend bloom and shear back lightly mid-summer to rejuvenate. Cut back in late fall/winter. Short-lived perennial that often reseeds.
Notes
One of the better-adapted color perennials for Tucson because of its heat and drought tolerance. Excellent drainage and restraint with water/fertilizer greatly extend its lifespan.
Sources: AMWUA Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert; University of Arizona Cooperative Extension / Pima County Master Gardeners; Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum