Anyone who wants to learn how to grow Gaillardia in a backyard UK garden or a hobby polytunnel is a few steps closer to enjoying a blanket of flowers in their outdoor or indoor spaces. Gaillardia, discovered by the French Magistrate M. Gaillard, is commonly known as blanket flowers because of its bright flowers that once resembled the pattern of a cloth that was of Native American origins.
What are the 3 Gaillardia Species?
Although these wildflowers are short-lived, they are easy to take care of. Gaillardia also comes in three different species – Gaillardia Aristata, Gaillardia Pulchella, and Gaillardia x Grandiflora.
While UK experts usually spot Gaillardia Aristata in the prairies across the United States, Gaillardia Pulchella is an annual that’s primarily grown in the Southeastern part of the United Kingdom. If you’re not aware, this species is often bred with Gaillardia Aristata to create the third Gaillardia species.
Gaillardia x Grandiflora is the hybrid result of G. artistata and G. pulchella. You can usually find this type of Gaillardia species in the UK garden centres and greenhouses.
All three species typically have the exact growth requirements. Exact growth requirements make the plan an ideal addition to the UK gardens of growers who want to add beauty into their gardens in the United Kingdom effortlessly.
Growth Guidelines for Gaillardia A.K.A. Blanket Flowers
There are two ways to grow blanket flowers in your British garden. You can either choose to grow it from seeds or buy a seedling that is already planted in a container and bring it home and continue to grow and care for it.
When planted in the correct type of soil and given the requirements they need, Gaillardia seeds won’t have a hard time thriving. While they will practically take care of themselves, it doesn’t help to give it a little bit of TLC here and there. Here are some of the guidelines you need to keep in mind when growing blanket flowers:
Light
Gaillardia, no matter the species, love being exposed to full sun. Although they can thrive in areas where they receive partial shade, flower production will be affected. As a result, your gaillardia plants won’t produce as much flower as they would in full sun, and the plant would limp and become floppy.
Water
If you’re planting from seeds or taking care of a seedling, you may need to water your plant frequently. Ideally, it would help if you wet it every other day. Once the gaillardia plants establish themselves and start maturing, they will develop high resistance to drought.
Many people who grew blanket flowers admits that most of their plants have survived, with only rainwater sustaining them. Rainwater sustaining proves to show just how tolerant the plants are of the dry season. However, to ensure that your plant survives, there’s no harm in checking on its moisture now and then and giving it water whenever needed.
Soil
Gaillardia plants grow best in well-draining soils but will die in heavy clay soils. It’s also not particular when it comes to soil pH. When planting from seed, ensure that the soil is always moist and ensure that the soil won’t dry up until you fully establish the plants.
Fertiliser
One of the perks about this type of plant is it doesn’t need fertilising. Fertilisers may even produce detrimental results for gaillardia plants. Many growers have seen their plants grow leggy and fall over after applying fertiliser on their gaillardia plants.
Temperature
Gaillardias love full sun and can tolerate even the hottest days of summer. They don’t exactly need to be in a humid environment, but they do well in hot and dry climates.
Greenhouse Gardening Benefits
If you’re having a hard time growing the plants you want in your UK garden, there might be one alternative solution for you: hobby greenhouses. There are a lot of benefits that come with polytunnel gardening. Here are some of them:
Benefit #1. Enjoy an Extended Growing Season
When you have a hobby greenhouse, you won’t have to depend on your area’s current season or weather. If it’s almost the winter season, you can place your warm-season plants inside the hobby polytunnel and let them grow continually. With a hobby greenhouse, you can use different techniques, like fans and heating pads, to keep the temperature around your plant stable and ideal for its growth.
Benefit #2. Plant Any Type You Want
When you have a hobby greenhouse, you can plant anything you want. Whether you’re planning to grow a crop that isn’t known to survive in your area or planning to grow a cold-season plant at the start of spring throughout the summer, you can trust a polytunnel to provide your plants with whatever temperature and humidity requirements it needs to grow. Plus, your chances of success may even increase if you plant your crops inside a hobby greenhouse.
Benefit #3. Prevent Plant Destruction
If you’re worried about pests, diseases, and harsh weather conditions, one way to make sure that your plants stay safe is to place them inside a hobby greenhouse. For one, it protects from pests and diseases thanks to its plastic film or fibreglass covering. Two, securing your plants inside the enclosed hobby polytunnel ensures that they won’t get damaged by harsh weather conditions such as heavy rains and strong winds.
Last Words: How to Grow Gaillardia
If you’re looking to grow low-maintenance but beautiful plants in your garden in the UK, Gaillardia plants are a good choice. Learn how to plant gaillardia plants successfully by taking note of its requirements mentioned above. If you incorporate some care tips with it, it won’t be long until your Gaillardia flowers start filling your UK garden or greenhouse.