Blanket flowers (Gaillardias) are known to multiply and spread easily in gardens. They have a natural tendency to reseed themselves, allowing them to multiply and create a beautiful blanket of blooms in your garden. This self-seeding characteristic can be both a blessing and a challenge for gardeners.
When blanket flowers reseed, they produce new plants that may exhibit some variation from the original hybrids. This means that while you can expect to see similar characteristics in the new plants, there may also be some slight differences in terms of color, size, or shape of the blooms. This can add an element of surprise and diversity to your garden, but if you’re looking for uniformity, you may need to consider other propagation methods like division or taking cuttings.
One of the advantages of blanket flowers is their long blooming period. They are prolific bloomers, often producing flowers from early summer to fall. This extended blooming season makes them a fantastic addition to any garden, as they provide continuous color and interest throughout the warmer months.
Blanket flowers are well-suited for both borders and containers, thanks to their compact and mounding growth habit. They can be planted alongside other heat-loving plants that thrive in full sun, creating a vibrant and dynamic display. Their bright and cheerful daisy-like flowers can complement a variety of other plants, adding a pop of color and attracting pollinators to your garden.
In my personal experience, blanket flowers have been a reliable and low-maintenance addition to my garden. Once established, they require minimal care and can tolerate drought conditions. However, it’s important to ensure they have well-draining soil to prevent root rot. Deadheading spent flowers can help promote further blooming and prevent self-seeding if you prefer to control their spread.
To summarize, blanket flowers have the ability to multiply through self-seeding, allowing them to easily sprawl and create a beautiful display in your garden. While the resulting plants may show some variation from the original hybrids, this adds to the diversity and charm of these long-blooming flowers. They can be grown in borders or containers alongside other sun-loving plants, making them a versatile choice for any garden. With their vibrant colors and ability to attract pollinators, blanket flowers are a valuable addition to any landscape.
