Blanket flower (Gaillardia 'Frenzy')
Gaillardia 'Frenzy' Blanket flower is a low-maintenance, showy perennial rewarding gardeners with blooms from May to September.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Blanket flower, specifically the cultivar Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’, offers exceptional color payoff for minimal effort, making it a staple in modern xeriscaping and perennial borders. This floriferous, compact variety produces masses of daisy-like flowers throughout the height of summer, attracting significant attention from local butterflies. Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’ thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained conditions, echoing the sunny, open prairie habitats where many Gaillardia species are found.
This herbaceous perennial forms a tidy mound of lance-shaped, medium green foliage, rarely exceeding two feet in height or spread, ensuring it integrates well into defined garden spaces. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the reliable bloom time from late spring well into fall provides sustained interest, reducing the need for frequent replanting. Gardeners appreciate the low maintenance required for the thriving Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’.
For gardeners prioritizing drought tolerance and vibrant, sturdy blooms, the Blanket flower is an easy choice. Its resilience to heat and moderate drought consolidates its role as a dependable performer in sunny, demanding locations, delivering continuous visual impact across the season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2 ft
- Bloom Time: May to September
- Bloom Description: Red rays with yellow tips and burgandy center
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’ in the spring or fall once the danger of hard frost has passed, ensuring it receives full sun exposure for the best flowering performance. While the Blanket flower generally prefers organically rich, moist soils that drain well, it is notably adaptable. Once established, use its dry to medium water needs to your advantage, allowing the soil to approach dryness between waterings, especially if you are aiming for drought resilience.
Maintenance for this cultivar is delightfully low. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, is the primary task, as this encourages the plant to produce additional blooms throughout the season. If the plant becomes overly leggy—a sign it might be resting mid-season—a light shearing back to the basal growth can rejuvenate the mound and promote renewed flowering until the first heavy frost. Minimal fertilization is required; rich soil may actually encourage excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms.
Avoid planting Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’ in heavy clay soils where moisture can accumulate, as poor drainage is the primary avenue for root rot, particularly during extended periods of summer rain. Regular monitoring in humid conditions can help spot early signs of common fungal issues like powdery mildew, which can be managed with improved air circulation.
Landscape Uses
The visual impact of Blanket flower makes Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’ ideal for perennial borders where it can be tucked between taller back-row specimens and shorter edging plants. Its substantial flowering habit is also perfect for cottage gardens, blending beautifully with lavender, salvia, and other sun-loving perennials that appreciate similar water requirements. This cultivar performs exceptionally well in perennial borders, cottage gardens, and cutting gardens.
Because the blooms are both showy and fragrant, they are a superb choice for cutting gardens, readily producing stems suitable for containers. Furthermore, the bright colors and accessible flower structure make Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’ an excellent addition to any butterfly garden, providing a reliable nectar source throughout the summer. For areas requiring a vibrant, low-growing specimen, consider incorporating them into large patio containers, ensuring the pots have excellent drainage.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Gaillardia is a genus of about 30 species of annuals, perennials and biennials found in West, Central and South America, mostly inhabiting open sunny prairie and hillsides; they are celebrated globally for their bright flowers. ‘Frenzy’ is recognized as a floriferous, compact gaillardia, distinguished by its fluted red rays tipped with bright yellow surrounding a burgundy center. This cultivar is attractive to butterflies and was developed to offer gardeners a dependable, continuous bloom display from late spring through fall.
Tolerances
- Drought
Potential Problems
Root rot remains the chief concern for Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’, especially if planted in sites prone to poor drainage or during prolonged, heavy summer rains. Prevention involves ensuring the planting location has grit or sand mixed into the soil structure for optimal drainage, honoring its preference for dry to medium moisture. Susceptibility to cosmetic issues like powdery mildew, aster yellows, and fungal leaf spots warrants annual inspection. Should pests appear, gardeners should watch out for common invaders such as aphids and leafminers, treating promptly with insecticidal soap if infestations become significant.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Blanket flower suitable for?
Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’ is generally recommended for USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’ grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a mature height between 1.5 to 2 feet tall, with a similar spread of 1.5 to 2 feet, creating a compact mound.
When does Blanket flower bloom?
The primary bloom time for Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’ spans from May to September, featuring striking flowers with red rays tipped in yellow and a burgundy center.
What sun exposure does Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’ need?
To achieve the most prolific flowering, Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’ absolutely requires full sun exposure throughout the day.
Conclusion
The Blanket flower, Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’, is an indispensable perennial for sunny gardens needing low-maintenance, long-lasting color through the hottest months. Its drought tolerance, combined with showy, fragrant blooms, makes it a gardener’s delight, particularly suitable for borders and containers. Before planting, confirm your site offers full sun and well-draining soil to ensure your Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’ thrives season after season.
Companion Planting
When designing a sunny, dry border, pair Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’ with other drought-tolerant natives and Mediterranean herbs. Companions that share a love for lean, well-drained soils include Sedum (Stonecrop), Echinacea (Coneflower), and ornamental grasses like Blue Fescue. These pairings create textural contrast while ensuring no single plant demands excessive moisture, which can inhibit the Blanket flower’s best performance.
Wildlife Benefits
The daisy-like composite flowers of Gaillardia ‘Frenzy’ are highly effective at attracting beneficial insects throughout the summer. The bright, open structure of the blooms makes nectar easily accessible to various categories of pollinator, notably butterflies, as noted in its characteristics. Planting a drift of Blanket flower supports local ecosystem health by providing a dependable, season-long food source right in your backyard display.
