Flower Library
Blanket Flower
Gaillardia · Asteraceae
The blanket flower brings prairie fire into the vase: large daisy blooms in red and orange whose ray florets usually end in a glowing yellow rim, as if someone had outlined the flower with a brush. As a cut flower, gaillardia is an insider tip for summer and autumn bouquets with a wow effect. In season we like bringing it back from the Veiling Rhein-Maas whenever strong, warm colours are wanted.
- Season
- June – July – August – September – October
- Vase life
- 6–10 days
- Latin name
- Gaillardia
- Colors
- Red with a yellow rim, Fiery red, Orange, Yellow, Wine red
Cut production is dominated by Gaillardia x grandiflora, a cross between annual and perennial prairie species. Classics such as Kobold show the typical red with a yellow rim, alongside pure yellow, orange and deep wine-red selections as well as double types with tubular petals.
In floral work the blanket flower is a character bloom for warm palettes: it carries the same prairie charm as rudbeckia and helenium but looks livelier thanks to its two-tone colouring. In arrangements with sunflowers and grasses it creates the modern late-summer look that shapes our workshop from August to October.
It stays interesting after flowering too: the spherical, bristly seed heads are a popular structural element and last for months in dried arrangements. Some designers now buy gaillardia specifically for that stage.
When buying we look for firm, upright stems and blooms whose central disc florets are only partly open. Fully open heads with a heavily powdered centre are past their best and shed in the vase.
A note for sensitive people: like many composites, gaillardia can irritate the skin with intensive contact, as the plant contains sesquiterpene lactones. For simply displaying a bouquet this plays no role; anyone arranging a lot should wash their hands afterwards.
Is Blanket Flower toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Mildly irritating
- Cats
- Mildly irritating
- Dogs
- Mildly irritating
Contains sesquiterpene lactones: mildly irritating to cats, dogs and people, with skin irritation possible from intensive contact. Keep out of reach of pets and small children.
Typical symptoms: After ingestion drooling and stomach upset; after frequent skin contact redness and itching.
In an emergency:call the German poison control centre in Bonn on +49 228 19240 (24/7) — for pets, contact an emergency vet directly. This information does not replace medical or veterinary advice.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Cut the stems at an angle with a sharp knife and get them into water immediately.
- 02Remove the lower foliage, as it softens quickly in water.
- 03Provide fresh water with flower food and change it every two days.
- 04Keep cool and out of harsh midday sun.
- 05Cut out spent blooms to keep the bouquet fresh and tidy.
- 06Dry the seed heads upside down for dried arrangements.
Frequently asked
- How long does the blanket flower last in the vase?
- Around six to ten days if the centre of the bloom is not fully open at purchase. Regular water changes and a cool spot get you to the upper end of that range.
- Is gaillardia toxic to cats or dogs?
- It is considered mildly irritating: the sesquiterpene lactones it contains can cause stomach upset in animals and skin irritation on contact, but serious poisoning is not known. To be safe, keep the bouquet out of reach of pets.
- Where does the blanket flower get its name?
- From its round, bicoloured bloom that recalls a cockade, the circular badge on uniform caps. The English name blanket flower, by contrast, alludes to the vividly patterned woven blankets of the indigenous peoples of its prairie homeland.
- When is the blanket flower in season?
- As a cut flower from June to October, with the best supply in late summer. That is exactly when it plays to its strength in warm-toned autumn arrangements, before chrysanthemums take over.