Am I Taking Good Care Of My Blanket Flowers?

Did you planted your blanket flowers somewhere where they can get at least 6 hours of sunlight each day?

Did you planted your blanket flowers in a well-drained soil?

Do you water your young blanket flowers regularly?

Do you water your established blanket flowers regularly?

Did you fertilize your blanket flower?

Did you deadhead your blanket flowers when the flowers faded?

Do you keep your blanket flowers free of pests and diseases?

Blanket flowers should have full sun, as this will ensure they produce an abundance of flowers. They can survive in partial shade, particularly if the shade is during the afternoon in especially hot climates, but you may find that these plants don’t bloom as profusely. If these flowers don’t get enough sun, they also tend to become limp and floppy.

Gaillardia is not particular about soil pH, but it does need well-draining soil. It will grow in somewhat moist conditions, but heavy clay soil will probably kill it.

Blanket flowers should be watered regularly when young, aiming to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Blanket flowers are probably more susceptible to root rot than any other garden flower you are likely to encounter, so be especially cautious about overwatering. Keeping young plants in moist conditions will help to ensure plenty of full, lush flowers for summer.

When they are established, blanket flowers are drought-tolerant and will survive without water for extended periods. Many people grow blanket flowers without ever watering them once they are mature, with the plant surviving on rainfall alone. Tt's best to water the bed once or twice per week.

Blanket flowers grow best without any fertilizer at all, and in fact, fertilizing the plant can be detrimental to its growth. If you fertilize this plant, even just once, you can expect it to grow leggy and then fall over, as the tall stems aren’t strong enough to hold the weight of the flowers on top.

Blanket flower does not require deadheading to keep blooming, but the plants will look better and be fuller if you do cut the stems back when the flowers start to fade. You will also get more continuous flowering with deadheading, so don't be shy about it.

Good job! You are taking good care of your blanket flowers.

Blanket flower plants are usually problem-free, but they are susceptible to aster yellows, a virus-like disease that can stunt their growth and cause the flowers to be green. Aster yellows is spread by leaf-hoppers and aphids, so the best thing to do is to encourage predators, like ladybugs.