Gaillardia aristata (Blanketflower)

Imagine a bold, sun-loving wildflower that keeps blooming through heat and drought—that’s blanketflower!

Sow in spring, on soil surface as seeds need light. (~50 seeds)

Gaillardia aristata (Blanketflower) is a low-maintenance, wildlife-supporting wildflower best known for its long season of vivid, daisy-like blooms. Native to the southern and central United States, it naturally grows in prairies, open fields, roadsides, and sandy or gravelly soils. From late spring through fall, its colorful flowers provide steady nectar and pollen, drawing in bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.

Blanketflower thrives in full sun and prefers dry to moderately moist, well-drained soils—especially sandy or poor soils where many plants struggle. Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant and actually performs better without rich soil or heavy watering. Often grown as an annual or short-lived perennial, it readily reseeds, returning year after year with minimal care.

Hardy, cheerful, and heat-loving, blanketflower is prized for both its ecological value and its show-stopping color, making it a favorite in pollinator plantings and naturalistic landscapes.

🌿 What makes it special

Blanketflower blooms for months, providing reliable nectar and pollen during the hottest parts of the season when other flowers fade.

🐝 Who loves it

Native bees, honey bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

🌎 Where it belongs

Open prairies, sunny meadows, dry fields, roadsides, and well-drained landscapes—especially in warm, sunny locations. It is heat-tolerant and self-seeding.

Best Places to Plant It

🌾 Pollinator strips along fences, paths, or driveways
🌼 Native or wildflower meadows
☀️ Hot, dry garden beds or sandy soils
🐝 Bee-friendly garden zones near nesting habitat
🏜️ Low-water or drought-tolerant landscapes

If you’re aiming for a low-effort, pollinator-friendly planting that thrives in sun and heat, blanketflower is an excellent choice.