The Perennial That Thinks It’s an Annual

The blanket flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora) is one of the most popular perennials, and with good reason, as this plant flowers throughout the summer and into mid-autumn. It blooms profusely throughout this period, so much so that it behaves more like an annual, known for its continuous flowering, than a perennial, which usually blooms for only a relatively short period.

The “flower” of a gaillardia is easy to recognize: it resembles a daisy, but with a disc that is usually red surrounded by red rays with yellow tips, and the tips of the rays appear to have been cut with pinking shears. However, there are blanket flowers that are entirely yellow or red, and even orange varieties.

The plant grows from a low rosette vaguely resembling a dandelion, but slightly hairy. The flower stems are quite tall in this species (90 cm/3 feet, sometimes more), but several cultivars are very dwarf, sometimes measuring less than 30 cm/12 inches.

A Hybrid Origin

The best-known perennial the blanket flower (G. x grandiflora) does not exist in the wild. It is a cross between a perennial species, G. aristata, native to western Canada and the United States, and an annual species, G. pulchella, found mainly in the United States. In fact, it is this perennial/annual cross that explains the curious behavior of G. x grandiflora. Although it “blooms like an annual,” this is because one of its parents is annual. And although the plant is perennial and therefore capable of surviving the winter, it rarely lives longer than three or four years. Its annual genes seem to shorten its lifespan. To avoid losing it, however, simply divide it every two or three years: dividing a perennial rejuvenates it and removes the extra years from its internal odometer.

Incidentally, the name Gaillardia is of French origin, as the genus was named in honor of Gaillard de Marentonneau, an amateur French botanist of the 18th century.

Easy To Grow

Gaillardia is easy to grow. Plant it in relatively rich soil that retains some moisture but drains quickly after rain. Avoid clay soils unless you grow it in a raised bed to ensure excellent drainage. Gaillardia tolerates drought but prefers occasional watering during dry periods.

Plant it in full sun or, if necessary, in partial shade. It will flower much more profusely in sunny locations. The plant requires little fertilizer—a small handful of compost applied annually is sufficient. It is rarely affected by insects or diseases, but occasionally you may notice a plant that produces green flowers instead of colored ones. This is phyllody, a disease caused by phytoplasmas – tiny microorganisms related to bacteria – which cannot be cured. If you find a gaillardia with this disease, it is best to destroy it, as phyllody can be transmitted to other gaillardias by insects. This disease is most noticeable when there is a field of wildflowers nearby, and less common in cities or suburbs.

Quick and Easy To Grow From Seed

Finally, blanket flower is very easy to grow from seed. In fact, seeds sown indoors in March will produce plants that will flower in their first year… another example of its “annual” nature, as few perennials flower so young!

There are some excellent varieties of gaillardia available in all nurseries. I won’t give you a list, as I’d rather let you choose a plant that suits your taste. It’s rare to regret buying a gaillardia!

Larry Hodgson published thousands of articles and 65 books over the course of his career, in both French and English. His son, Mathieu, has made it his mission to make his father’s writings accessible to the public. This text was originally published in Le Soleil on June 18, 2011.