Great Blanket-flower
Gaillardia aristata
Last reviewed: September 2026
Gaillardia aristata is a drought tolerant forb that blooms yellow and red from June through September. It thrives in full sun and well-drained, low water sites across prairies and open slopes.
Toxicity unknown
Great Blanket-flower (Gaillardia aristata) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Great Blanket-flower as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
18"–36" H × 12"–24" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
CO, CT, ID, MA and 9 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
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Great blanket-flower produces bright orange and red daisy-like blooms with yellow tips from June through September. This drought-tolerant perennial forms clumps of gray-green foliage and thrives in poor soils where other flowers struggle.
Growing Great Blanket-flower
Grow Great Blanket-flower in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 18 to 36 inches tall and spread 12 to 24 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Great Blanket-flower is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 3 out of 5.
Works well in: mid zone, foundation, front yard.
- Can self-seed aggressively if not deadheaded
- Foliage may look sparse in winter
Wildlife value
The long-blooming flowers attract bees and butterflies throughout summer and fall. Seeds provide food for finches and other small birds.
Common questions
- What growing conditions does Great Blanket-flower need?
- Gaillardia aristata grows best in full sun with well-drained soil and low water once it is established. It tolerates dry, open sites and does not need regular irrigation.
- When does Great Blanket-flower bloom?
- Great Blanket-flower typically blooms from June through September, producing yellow and reddish flower heads through most of the summer.
- What pollinators visit Great Blanket-flower?
- Bees and butterflies regularly visit Gaillardia aristata for nectar and pollen through its long summer bloom period.
- Does Great Blanket-flower need much water?
- No. It has low water requirements and performs well in dry soil once its root system is established, making it suitable for water conscious plantings.
- Is Great Blanket-flower toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Great Blanket-flower as toxic to livestock.
- Is Great Blanket-flower HOA-friendly?
- Great Blanket-flower is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Great Blanket-flower? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
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