Growing Indian Blanket Gaillardia Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Gaillardia pulchella
- Other Names: Indian Blanketflower, Firewheel, Sundance
- Seed Type: Annual
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Indian Blanket gaillardia has a wildflower-like hardiness and is most commonly broadcasted directly after the frost but, for earliest blooms, begin seeds 6 – 8 weeks indoors prior. Gaillardia seeds are known to require 14 – 35 days to germinate in full lighting but, once established, plants are one of the hardiest wildflowers available. May reseed in optimal growing conditions.
- Days to Maturity: 84 – 98 days
- Hardiness Zone: 2 –11
- Planting Depth: Plant 3 – 4 seeds ¼” deep or broadcast directly
- Plant Spacing: 12”
- Growth Habit: 12 – 18” tall shrubby upright with a 6 – 12” spread of well-stemmed 2" daisy-like blooms
- Soil Preference: Average, dry to sandy, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Indian Blanket performs well in hot, dry, sandy, and poorly tended gardens, but will show signs of root rot and powdery mildew if soil is not properly drained. Deadheading is not necessary. Gaillardia has no serious susceptibility to diseases or pests, but monitor regularly for aphids and thrips.
- Color: Bi-colored sunburst petals with crimson centers and yellow tips
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Seeds Per Package:
- 1 oz - Approximately 8,200 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 32,800 Seeds
Indian Blanket gaillardia has a wildflower-like hardiness and is most commonly broadcasted directly after the frost but, for earliest blooms, begin seeds 6 – 8 weeks indoors prior. Gaillardia seeds are known to require 14 – 35 days to germinate in full lighting but, once established, plants are one of the hardiest wildflowers available. May reseed in optimal growing conditions. Plant 3 – 4 Indian Blanket gaillardia seeds ¼” deep or broadcast directly in average, dry to sandy, and well-drained soil in full sun. Indian Blanket performs well in hot, dry, sandy, and poorly tended gardens, but will show signs of root rot and powdery mildew if soil is not properly drained. Deadheading is not necessary. Gaillardia has no serious susceptibility to diseases or pests, but monitor regularly for aphids and thrips. Indian Blanket gaillardia seeds mature in 84 – 98 days as 12 – 18” tall shrubby uprights with a 6 – 12” spread of well-stemmed 2" daisy-like blooms.
Gaillardia pulchella, or more commonly known as Indian Blanket or Gaillardia, is a sun-hardy wildflower perennial native to North America from the Yukons and Québec down into the American southwest, but has since naturalized throughout many similar climates across the world. The genus Gaillardia pays homage to an 18th century French magistrate and enthusiastic patron of botany. The specific epithet pulchella means "pretty".