Blanket Flower
Gaillardia aristata
paskwawi-waposakây(Cree)
One of Alberta's most cheerful prairie wildflowers, splashing dry slopes and roadsides with bold red, orange, and yellow daisy blooms all summer long. Thrives in poor, dry soil and full sun — perfect for xeriscaping. Short-lived (2–4 year) perennial but freely self-seeds to maintain a colony. Pollinators adore it.
Quick Facts
Distribution
Southern & Central AB, Zone 2
Light
Full sun, dry soil
Bloom Time
June–Aug
Soil
Lean, well-drained; dislikes rich or wet soils
Water
Low — very drought-tolerant once established
Growing & Cultivation
Best Planting Time
Fall (natural stratification) or spring after 30 days cold stratification
Propagation
Easy from seed (light needed to germinate — don't bury) sown in fall or after cold stratification. Also by basal cuttings or careful division of young plants in spring. Self-seeds prolifically.
Spacing
30–45 cm
