Also known as Blanket Flower · 1.7k gardener saves
Gaillardia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Gaillardia, the genus most gardeners know as blanket flower. We track 24 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Gaillardia varieties
Of 24 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedBlanket Flower
Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Mixed Border'
#2 most savedArizona Sun Blanket Flower
Gaillardia x hybrida 'Arizona Sun'
#3 most savedGaillardia Globe Red
Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Globe Red'
Blanket Flower The Sun
Gaillardia grandiflora 'The Sun'
Blanket Flower
Gaillardia grandiflora
Blanket Flower Fanfare Citronella
Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Fanfare Citronella'
Blanket Flower
Gaillardia x grandiflora
Burgundy Blanket Flower
Gaillardia aristata 'Burgunder'
Mesa Peach Blanket Flower
Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Mesa Peach'
Fanfare Blanketflower
Gaillardia aristata 'Fanfare'
Blanket Flower
Gaillardia aristata
Mesa Yellow Blanket Flower
Gaillardia x grandiflora 'Mesa Yellow'
Browse all 24 Gaillardia varieties →
How to grow Gaillardia
What the Gaillardia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 24 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Gaillardia year
- DeadheadMay–September100% of varieties
Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming and prevent self-seeding.
- DivideMarch and September96% of varieties
Divide clumps every 2-3 years in spring or fall to maintain plant vigor.
- Spring CleanupFebruary58% of varieties
Cut back old, dead foliage close to the ground before new growth begins.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October42% of varieties
Plant nursery stock in spring after frost or early fall.
- Winter PrepOctober33% of varieties
Cut stems back to 6 inches in late fall to prevent crown rot in wet winters.
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Water deeply once a week during dry spells 🌱
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring
- Water deeply during dry periods 🌱
- Deadhead to promote more flowers
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Neglect deadheading
- Overwater to prevent root rot ❌
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season to prevent legginess
What goes wrong with Gaillardia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage and stippling damage | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with water or insecticidal soap |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting despite watering and brown roots | Improve soil drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Gaillardia
Division
- Dig up mature plants in early spring or fall.
- Separate clumps with a sharp knife or spade.
- Replant divisions immediately at the same depth.
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring, taking about 2 weeks to germinate.
- Keep soil consistently moist during germination period.
- Thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart after they establish.
Gaillardia questions
How many types of Gaillardia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 24 distinct Gaillardia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.7k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Gaillardia grow in?
Across its varieties, Gaillardia covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Gaillardia bloom?
Most Gaillardia varieties bloom in early summer, summer to fall, late spring to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Gaillardia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
More on Gaillardia
Gaillardia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Gaillardia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
