Fastigiate blanketflower Plant Care

Fastigiate blanketflower (Gaillardia fastigiata) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Gaillardia genus. Fastigiate blanketflower is native to the south-central and southern United States from Texas east to Florida and north to the Carolinas, Arkansas, and Kansas. Fastigiate blanketflower is also known as Gaillardia aestivalis, Gaillardia bicolor, Gaillardia chrysantha.

Fastigiate blanketflower displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Fastigiate blanketflower produces colorful daisy-like flowers in red, yellow, and orange hues.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Fastigiate blanketflower every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Fastigiate blanketflower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Gaillardia fastigiata tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Fastigiate blanketflower prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Fastigiate blanketflower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Fastigiate blanketflower every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, sandy soil with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Fastigiate blanketflower is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Fastigiate blanketflower can spread to about 2 ft (0.5 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.5 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Fastigiate blanketflower while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Fastigiate blanketflower is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Fastigiate blanketflower can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to firewheel plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Fastigiate blanketflower is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, powdery mildew. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Fastigiate blanketflower grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Fastigiate blanketflower is native to the south-central and southern United States from Texas east to Florida and north to the Carolinas, Arkansas, and Kansas. In cooler regions, grow Fastigiate blanketflower as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.