Gaillardia pulchella Yellow Plume seeds- Blanket Flower

The Annual Blanket Flower or Gaillardia pulchella 'Yellow Plume' is an unusual variety of this short-lived perennial, grown as an annual. It develops medium-sized extra-double flowers, in small yellow pompons, resembling a double cornflower, on a slightly loose clump. These flowers add a delightful lightness in borders, containers, or cut flower arrangements.

The Gaillardia or blanket flower is an Asteraceae that grows in large clumps in sunny and dry prairies of North America. It is highly appreciated for its warm colours, undemanding nature, and very long flowering period from late spring to early autumn. English speakers affectionately call it the 'blanket flower' as its colours resemble the patterns and colours of American Indian tapestries. 'Yellow Plume' comes from the species Gaillardia pulchella, also known as showy blanket flower or Indian blanket, native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. It has a slightly loose habit and can reach 45 cm in height and 30 cm in width. The numerous stems bear a solitary flower with the unusual appearance of double-flowered cornflowers from June to September. The florets, forming the collar, are yellow. The ligules are irregularly placed, giving the flower a slightly tousled look. The flowers are very double, so much so that they form a sphere of tubular florets. The foliage is deciduous, lanceolate, and hairy, often taking on a greyish-green hue.

Gaillardia pulchella 'Yellow Plume' is grown as an annual and its size makes it suitable for use as a ground cover in borders or mixed borders. Gaillardia likes light, well-drained, but rich soils. It doesn't mind drought or heat, so you can plant it in full sun. As it self-seeds abundantly, be sure to remove faded flowers not only to stimulate new blooms but also to prevent it from spreading too much. Associate your gaillardias with white Leucanthemum or Scabiosa in a wild meadow or in a border, as well as with lavenders or perennial geraniums.