Gaillardia, Blanket Flower, Indian Blanket 'Goblin'

On Jan 23, 2016, JBtheExplorer from Southeast, WI wrote:

This is a phenomenal plant! It starts blooming in late May and if deadheaded, continues to bloom until the first frost. That's at least five full months of blooms! They generally get to around 1-2 feet tall, however I've have one or two plants that have grown to 3 feet tall. They are highly attractive to pollinators. I've seen them attract hummingbirds, butterflies, beetles, caterpillars, and especially bees. Towards the latter half of the season, they'll start to flop over, especially once it rains, however, I've noticed that if you keep them thinner, rather than letting them turn into small shrubs, they tend to stay strong and upright throughout the year. I definitely recommend this plant.

On Mar 14, 2011, ferngrrl from New Orleans, LA wrote:

Back in Pueblo, CO, these did great. Now, in New Orleans, these do great, in spite of humidity and freezes in the winter (the ground doesn't freeze here, though).

Goblin does tend to flop over, but that's easily remedied. And they do grow upright, even after they flop over. Like an S shape on it sside.

In May 2010, I tossed some seeds into an ancient concrete planter box on a concrete patio next to a metal toolshed. Soil was old, sandy, clayey, with some compost tossed in.

These crazy goblins bloomed from early fall *through the winter* and are still going strong now (March 2011).

Next I'm going to toss some seeds on some of the sandy-shell area that was under the concrete I pulled up.

On Jun 7, 2009, cmsjjdr from Panama City, FL (Zone 8b) wrote:

I have these planted in an area that is gravel and sand. They require no care and bloom almost year round. It takes a very prolonged cold spell to kill the plants to the ground. They freely reseed though so I have not had to do anything to these since I got them several years ago. Two years ago I noticed I had some that bloomed with the trumpet shaped petals and some that are half trumpet and half the regular petals. I found out that my neighbor about 4 houses down had the other type and they have crossed. That is ok with me though. This plant does self seed very well though so that needs to be considered when planting. I now have a nice healthy blooming plant growing in a crack in the driveway.LOL

On May 28, 2007, efbiosis from Oakland, CA (Zone 10a) wrote:

I'm considering taking this out of my garden. The plants flop and the stems are not very attractive, there are better varieties out there like 'Arizona Sun' and 'Burgundy'.

On Jul 29, 2006, jg48650 from Pinconning, MI (Zone 6a) wrote:

When I planted this last year, it was in a 4'' pot. It must now be 9'' across. It started blooming very early, in late May. It is still blooming, and I deadhead it regularly. It is drought resistant, as it is growing well near a mailbox with rocky, sandy, poor soil, and it does not get watered as much as the other plants. The only minor complaint is that some of the leaves seem to be fading. They were once a nice green color, but some are now yellow and white. Still, it keeps flowering!

On Jan 15, 2006, Gabrielle from (Zone 5a) wrote:

This is a cute little Gaillardia that is small enough to not flop. Light aids germination of seeds. Blooms June-November in my garden.

On Jun 21, 2005, mellielong from Lutz, FL (Zone 9b) wrote:

I voluntarily take care of the flower beds on both sides of the front of our street. My side has a great oak over it, providing shade for my flowers in zone9b's humidity and heat. The other side of the street has absolutely no shade and most things just fry to death in the Florida sun. But not my blanket flowers! They provide great color and their foliage always looks so fresh and green. A definite pick for anyone looking for a plant that can withstand heat. Also a good choice if you live in a neighborhood with watering restrictions (like me). They get a little wider than I expected, which is a good thing. And they have mulitple buds and flowers covering them at any given time. Next year, I plan on adding more varieties of blanket flowers to the neighborhood.

On Oct 13, 2004, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote:

Gaillardia is a plant that likes soil to be a bit drier, so don't overwater it. This variety is no exception. It's flowers are yellow, orange and red and are striking. Needs full sun to grow well and needs deadheading after blooms fade. It is a major attractor to bees, butterflies, birds and resistant to rabbits and deer.

On Jun 1, 2003, lauburt from Vancouver, WA wrote:

Flowers prolificly and the color is very cheerful. Self-sows freely and can be invasive, so remove babies as soon as they sprout. Bees, butterflies and birds love them! Not too tall and looks great in the front of a bed!