Blanket flower seeds - colourful prairie flowers for sunny beds

Prairie flowers with bright colours

Prairie blanket flower, Gaillardia aristata, comes from North America and belongs to the daisy family. Typical are its large flower heads with strong shades of yellow, orange and red. The colours often form clearly contrasting rings, reminiscent of a cockade - hence the German name.

The perennial wild species grows in clumps and forms upright flower stems above a low leaf rosette. Depending on location and origin, the plants usually reach about 30 to 70 cm in height.

Long flowering from summer into autumn

One special strength of blanket flower is its long flowering period. Under favourable conditions, the first flowers appear as early as early summer, and new buds can continue to follow well into autumn.

Regularly removing faded flowers can encourage the formation of further buds. If individual seed heads are allowed to ripen, however, the planting takes on a more natural character and the plants can self-sow in suitable locations.

For sunny, warm and dry garden spots

Blanket flowers feel especially at home where other perennials are already struggling with heat and drought. They prefer full sun and well-drained, rather poor to moderately nutrient-rich soils.

Sunny perennial beds, prairie plantings, gravel gardens, slopes and other warm garden areas are ideal. The plants tolerate permanent wetness and waterlogging much less well than drought. Good drainage is therefore important, especially in winter.

Lively companions for prairie and natural gardens

With their loose growth and strong flower colours, blanket flowers combine beautifully with grasses and other sun-loving perennials. They look especially attractive in naturalistic plantings where different heights, flower shapes and structures interact.

They also set strong colour accents among drought-tolerant wildflowers and bring movement to the planting over many weeks.

Flowers for bees, butterflies and other pollinators

The open flower heads are visited by numerous insects. Bees, wild bees, butterflies, hoverflies and beetles find food in the flowers, making blanket flower an interesting addition to natural and insect-friendly gardens.

Thanks to its long flowering period, it can contribute to a diverse flower supply, especially in high and late summer.

Wild species and garden forms

In addition to prairie blanket flower, Gaillardia aristata, there are numerous garden forms and hybrids with different flower colours, growth heights and flower shapes. Crosses between Gaillardia aristata and the annual Gaillardia pulchella, grouped as Gaillardia × grandiflora, are particularly widespread.

The wild species Gaillardia aristata, however, impresses with its original prairie character, good drought tolerance and special value as a flowering plant for various insects.

• Colourful prairie flowers with a long flowering period from summer to autumn
• Ideal for sunny, warm and well-drained beds, gravel gardens and prairie plantings
• Drought-tolerant flowering perennials for bees, butterflies and natural gardens