The blanket flower (Gallardia) is a robust and easy-care perennial from the daisy family. The brightly colored flowers, which darken from the center to the edge, are extremely attractive and look great in any perennial border. The plant is even moderately hardy and, provided the right winter protection, can cope well even with low temperatures.
The hardiness of the blanket flower varies slightly from cultivar to cultivar
The hardiness
How hardy the blanket flower is also seems to depend on the variety. While some garden owners are disappointed to find out in spring that Gallardia no longer sprout, others report that the blanket flower reliably sprout every year, even in very rough locations. It is therefore worth experimenting with different varieties if necessary.
Preparation for the winter
Do not cut the cockade flower completely in winter, but leave as much foliage as possible on the plant. In cold areas, it is advisable to prune Gallardia as early as September. The perennial then drives fresh green that can serve as winter protection. Spread a loose layer of mulch over it and shade with fir twigs.
wet in winter
Not only in the summer months, but also in winter, Gallardia is very sensitive to too much moisture. Often the plant does not die because it was too cold, but because the winter wetness killed it.
You should therefore loosen up heavy soil with sand or fine-grained gravel when planting. Adding compost also ensures that the soil becomes looser and therefore more permeable to water. In addition, fill the planting hole with a drainage layer of sand or gravel so that the blanket flower does not have permanently wet feet.
tips
In rough areas it is advisable to place the cockade flower in a sheltered location, for example in front of a wall. This stores the heat of the day and releases it to the environment at night. This noticeably reduces the effects of very cold winters.