Blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata 'Bijou')
Gaillardia aristata 'Bijou' is a low-maintenance dwarf Blanket flower offering brilliant orange-red blooms from May to September in full sun.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’ is a dwarf cultivar prized for its exceptionally long bloom period, offering a continuous display of vibrant orange-red, daisy-type flowers from late spring well into autumn. As a low-maintenance herbaceous perennial, this Blanket flower thrives in conditions where many other plants struggle, making it a fantastic addition to xeriscaped or sunny garden beds. Its compact size (typically 10-12 inches tall) allows it to fit perfectly at the front of borders while retaining the tough constitution of its native relatives found in the meadows of western North America.
The appeal of Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’ extends beyond its persistent color; these flowers are highly attractive to essential pollinators like butterflies, increasing the ecological value of your garden. It is drought tolerant once established, requiring minimal supplemental watering, which aligns perfectly with sustainable gardening practices. For gardeners seeking reliable, season-long color with minimal fuss, the Blanket flower cultivar ‘Bijou’ is an outstanding choice.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.75-1 ft
- Spread: 0.75-1 ft
- Bloom Time: May to September
- Bloom Description: Orange-red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’ is best done in spring after the last frost, ensuring it receives location in full sun exposure. This variety performs best in average, well-drained soils. While it tolerates dry soils and drought exceptionally well, it performs poorly if placed in heavy clay or overly moist conditions, which can lead to root rot.
Once established, care for your Blanket flower is minimal. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings, reflecting its preference for medium to dry conditions. Fertilization is generally unnecessary; rich soil might encourage excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms.
Deadheading spent flowers is optional but beneficial for tidiness and may encourage sporadic reblooming. If flowering significantly wanes by midsummer, cutting the plants back moderately can spur a fresh flush of blooms later in the season. Gardeners should note that this seed strain will naturally self-seed if blossoms are left intact across the growing season.
Landscape Uses
The compact stature of Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’ makes it versatile across numerous landscape designs. It excels lining the front of perennial borders, providing a bright, easily accessible band of warm color against taller backdrops. Due to its drought tolerance, this low-maintenance cultivar is excellent for naturalizing areas or stabilizing dry slopes where turf might struggle.
Consider using the Blanket flower in rock gardens where excellent drainage is naturally present, or integrate it into charming cottage garden settings where its continuous bloom complements softer textures. Furthermore, these cheerful blooms are fantastic as cut flowers, adding lasting vibrancy to summer arrangements. For season-long impact, pair Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’ with other sun-loving, drought-tolerant perennials like Sedum or Russian Sage.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Gaillardia aristata is a species of blanket flower that is native to western North America, thriving in dry sites across meadows and foothills up to 9000 feet. This specific variety, ‘Bijou’, is a dwarf seed strain, reaching only about 10-12 inches tall, while producing a long-lasting display of its signature daisy-type blooms from late spring into fall. The flowers attract numerous butterflies and other insect pollinators, and the resulting seedheads provide winter interest for birds.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Dry Soil
Potential Problems
The primary concern for growing Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’ relates to managing soil moisture. Root rot is a significant risk if the planting site remains soggy, especially during extended periods of heavy summer rain. Always ensure sharp drainage is established before planting this Blanket flower.
While species plants can be susceptible to fungal issues like powdery mildew and fungal leaf spot, good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can mitigate these risks for the ‘Bijou’ cultivar. Aster yellows may occasionally affect the plant, but generally, this perennial is known for its robust, low-maintenance nature in appropriate sunny, drier settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Blanket flower suitable for?
Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’ is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 3 through 8. Gardeners should confirm they are within this range for perennial success.
How large does Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’ grow?
This dwarf cultivar typically reaches a height and spread between 0.75 and 1 foot mature plant.
What sun exposure does Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’ need?
This vigorous Blanket flower requires full sun exposure to perform optimally and produce its abundant orange-red blooms reliably throughout the season.
When does Blanket flower bloom?
The bloom time for Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’ is extensive, running consistently from May all the way through September.
Conclusion
The Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’ offers undeniable garden value through its tough, drought-tolerant nature and its incredibly long season of cheerful, orange-red color. This exceptional Blanket flower variant requires little maintenance, thriving where full sun and drier soils prevail. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 3-8 and ensure your soil drains thoroughly to maximize the performance of your Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’.
Companion Planting
Selecting companions for Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’ is straightforward, as they thrive alongside other sun-worshipping, dry-tolerant perennials. Pair this Blanket flower with ornamental grasses like Blue Fescue (Festuca glauca) for contrasting texture and color. Achillea (Yarrow) varieties share similar low-water needs and provide complementary flat-topped flower clusters that pair beautifully with the daisy shape of the Gaillardia.
For a cohesive cottage garden look, mix in shorter Sedums or creeping Thyme around the base of the Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’. These companions help suppress weeds in the sunny, dry soil profile that the Blanket flower prefers, ensuring a visually rich and low-effort planting scheme throughout the summer.
Wildlife Benefits
The abundant daisy-like flower heads of Gaillardia aristata ‘Bijou’ are magnets for specialized pollinators. They are excellent nectar sources for various butterfly species throughout the summer months when many other perennials may be flagging. Planting these native-based flowers supports local insect populations crucial for ecosystem health.
Furthermore, once the orange-red petals fade, the plant develops attractive seedheads that persist into the cooler months. These seedheads provide a valuable food source for small seed-eating birds, such as finches, extending the garden’s utility beyond the flowering season. This makes the Dwarf Blanket flower a true multi-season asset for wildlife gardening.
