Blanket Flower

The blanket flower (Gaillardia) is the state wildflower of Oklahoma and when in bloom is admired by both Oklahomans and visitors to our great state.

However, I need to mention that our state wildflower is an annual and not a perennial which is what we are talking about in this section but we are at least in the correct family of plants.

Many of the close to trouble free varieties will bloom most of the growing season for you and they are cold hardy into at least zone five.

Be sure that Gaillardia flowers are planted in full sun for optimum results.

Choose from selections growing in height from ten inches up to as much as two feet.

Frankly I prefer the dwarf cultivars as the taller ones have a tendency to flop over or sprawl on the ground which can interfere with other perennials growing close by.

The basic colors available are:

• yellow
• orange
• red
• gold
• bronze
• scarlet
• russet

with more bicolor forms than solid shades to select from.