The blanket flower is an easy-care and fast-growing garden flower. There isn't just one variety, but around 30. The 11 most popular varieties are briefly presented here.
The blanket flower belongs to the genus Gaillardia. The plants were first described by Auguste Denis Fougeroux de Bondaroy. The French botanist lived in Paris in the mid-18th century and has published several botanical works.
The natural range of the blanket flower is in America. There are almost 30 species. Numerous bred hybrids with different growth heights and flower colors provide variety in the garden bed. We would like to give you an overview of the 11 most beautiful varieties.
11 Enchanting Varieties of Blanket Flower
1. Rayless Blanket Flower
The rayless cockade flower can grow up to 80 centimeters tall. The leaves are increasingly at the bottom of the stems. The red-brown flowers spread an intense sweet scent. In the months of June to October, the Radiant Blanket Flower is in bloom. The natural range extends from the US states of Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma to Mexico.
2. Blanket Flower Amber WheelsAmber Wheels grows about half a meter tall and appears bushy and upright. The red-yellow flowers appear between June and September. This cockade flower is an uncomplicated perennial for the ornamental garden. It feels most comfortable in a sunny and warm location. The golden-yellow flowers are particularly large and eye-catching and set pretty accents with their amber-colored centre.
The plant is a popular bee pasture and is also popular with bumblebees. With good care, this blanket flower blooms all summer.
» Tip: Remove faded flowers regularly.
A sunny location should be found. Amber Wheels feels particularly comfortable on a well-drained sandy soil. Pretty contrasts are created in the company of sun hats or girls' eyes. Although Amber Wheels is considered hardy, light winter protection is recommended during severe frosts.
3. Blanket Flower Bijou
This pretty hybrid ranks amongthe lower species and reaches a maximum height of 25 centimeters. The red-yellow flowers appear in early summer and last well into autumn with proper care. If faded flowers are removed regularly, new flowers will form again and again. The perennial is hardy and is popular with bees and bumblebees.
4. Cockade Flower BurgundyThe cockade flower Burgundy is an impressive sight with a growth height of up to 75 centimetres. The deep red flowers provide a nice contrast to the rather pale and grey-green appearing leaves. Burgundy blooms into October and is a popular bee pasture.
5. Cockade Flower Torchlight
A firework of colors ignites the two-tone torchlight cockade flower. The plants come from the west of the USA and are very well adapted to the climate in our latitudes and are hardy. While the center of the flower appears brown-red, the petals are yellowish. The petals are serrated at their ends. The leaves are relatively long and also toothed. The flowers can be admired between July and September. The rich green foliage contrasts nicely with the showy, flame-like blooms. With a growth height of almost 80 centimetres, the plants are real eye-catchers in the perennial border.
» Tip: If you cut back after the first flowering, a second flowering is guaranteed.
6. Cockade Flower Gold GoblinThe Golden Goblin Cockade Flower is a yellow-flowered species that flaunts its blooms in late summer. With a growth height of 25 to 35 centimetres, the low-growing variety can be easily combined with the higher-growing species. The perennial is hardy and prefers fresh soil that should not dry out. Gold goblin is a popular playground for bees and insects.
7. Cockade Flower Summer Friend
Late summer is richer by a splash of color with the cockade flower Summer Friend. The perennials, which grow up to 70 centimeters high, cope very well with our climatic conditions. It is an older and well-established variety. Summer Friend can be planted in a regular garden soil. The soil should be well-drained, as waterlogging is not tolerated. If the faded parts of the plant are cut back regularly, new crimson flowers form, which remain until September.
8. Cockade Flower Bremen
The cockade flower Bremen is quite widespread and also extremely popular as a cut flower.The plants grow upright and reach a height of about half a meter. The petals are red in the middle and turn yellow towards the outside. The lush green and finely hairy leaves provide a harmonious contrast. If you cut back after the first flowering, the second flowering will not be long in coming.
9. Cockade Flower Goblin
The Kobold cockade flower brings color to the bed. The low-growing variety offers a pretty play of colors and is also very suitable for colorful summer bouquets. The growth height is 20 to 35 centimeters. The hemispherical ornamental perennial is characterized by its bushy, compact growth. In a sunny spot and in loose garden soil, Kobold will do well and will flower between July and September. Flowering is encouraged with fertilizer in the spring. A planting distance of about 30 centimeters should be maintained in the perennial bed.
10. Cockade Flower Tokaji
Variety comes into play with the Tokajer cockade flower. The ornamental plant native to the western United States impresses with its orange flowers. With a height of up to 70 centimetres, the plant cannot be overlooked in the perennial border. The perennial is hardy and flowers from early June to late summer.
11. Arizona Sun Cockade Flower
With its two-tone flowers, Arizona Sun brings all its charm to the summer garden. This variety is particularly rich in flowers and can be stimulated to a second flowering by cutting back after the first flowering. While the flower heads shine deep red, the tips of the flowers appear golden yellow. The lush green foliage makes the distinctive flowers shine once again. Arizona Sun can convince on its own, but also looks good in a perennial border. A sunny location guarantees rich flowering. The soil of the plant, which grows about half a meter high, should be nutrient-rich and well-drained. Arizona Sun does not tolerate waterlogging.
The most beautiful varieties of the cockade flower in brief
| Type | Growth | Flower color / flowering time |
|---|---|---|
| Rayless Cockade Flower | 30 to 80 cm | Red brown June to October |
| Amber Wheels | 30 to 60 cm | Red Yellow June to September |
| Bijou | 30 to 60 cm | Red Yellow June to September |
| Burgundy | 60 to 75 cm | Burgundy June to September |
| Torchlight | 60 to 75 cm | RedYellow July toSeptember |
| Gold Goblin | 25 to 35 cm | Yellow July to September |
| Summer Friend | 60 to 70 cm | Crimson July to September |
| Bremen | 40 to 50 cm | Yellow Red July to September |
| Leprechaun | 20 to 35 cm | Yellow June to September |
| Tokaji | 40 to 70 cm | Orange June to September |
| Arizona Sun | 40 to 50 cm | Red Yellow July to September |
Other species and their distribution areas:
Summer Cocad: Texas, Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, Illinois
Prairie Cocad: USA and Canada
Arizonica Cocad: Utah, Arizona, Nevada, Mexico
Short-lived Cockade Flower: US, Mexico
Pinnafifida Cockade Flower: US, Mexico