Gaillardia Double Mixed brings rounded, full flowerheads in warm red, orange, yellow and gold shades to sunny pots and garden borders. Each bloom is packed with small tubular florets, with some flowers showing contrasting colours at their tips.

This annual Blanket Flower develops branching plants that flower during warm weather. Its textured blooms add variety to mixed flower beds and can also be picked for small, colourful vase arrangements.

Why Gardeners Love It

• Double Blooms: Rounded flowerheads filled with tubular florets create a distinctive display.
• Warm Colours: A mixture of red, orange, yellow and gold shades.
• Summer Flowering: Produces fresh flowers over an extended period in suitable conditions.
• Heat Tolerant: Established plants handle warm weather and short dry spells.
• Garden and Vase Uses: Suitable for sunny containers, borders and fresh flower arrangements.
• Germination Tested: Gaillardia seeds with a high germination rate.

Best Conditions

• Germination: Usually 7–21 days
• Germination temperature: Around 20–23°C
• Sunlight: At least 6–8 hours
• Pot size: A 10–12-inch pot for one plant
• Spacing: About 12–18 inches between plants
• Plant height: Usually around 12–24 inches
• Soil: Light, moderately fertile and well-draining mix
• First flowers: Usually around 12–16 weeks from sowing

Sowing note: In Lahore, Faisalabad, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, sow from February to April, protecting early seedlings from frost. In hotter areas such as Karachi and southern Punjab, sow from September to November after the strongest heat has eased, or from February to March. In colder northern and hilly areas, sow from April to May once the risk of frost has passed.

How to Sow

1. Fill a clean seed tray or small pots with fine seed starter mix, then moisten evenly and allow excess water to drain.
2. Scatter the seeds thinly over the surface and press gently into the mix, leaving them exposed to light for germination.
3. Mist gently and place the tray in bright, indirect light, keeping it protected from strong afternoon heat and heavy rain.
4. Check the surface daily and mist whenever it begins drying, keeping the mix lightly moist while the seeds are germinating.
5. Transplant seedlings after they develop 3–4 true leaves, lifting each with its surrounding mix and keeping the roots as undisturbed as possible.
6. Gradually introduce the seedlings to direct sunlight over several days, then settle them into their final pots or spaced garden positions.

Plant Care

Water regularly while seedlings establish. Once the plants are growing strongly, allow the upper layer of soil to dry between waterings. Water at soil level and let excess moisture drain freely. Container plants may need more frequent watering during hot weather.

Mix a small amount of Vermicompost into the final potting mix. Avoid frequent heavy feeding, which can encourage soft, leafy growth. Check tender shoots for aphids; if needed, apply Neem Oil according to its label, keeping the spray off open flowers.

Local Gardener Tips

• Shelter newly transplanted seedlings from hot, drying winds until they establish.
• Keep pots protected from prolonged monsoon rain.
• Support any flower stems that lean in exposed rooftop gardens.
• Group several plants together to enjoy more of the mixed colours.

Flowering and Display

Remove faded flowers by cutting their stems back to a healthy leaf or side shoot. This keeps the plants tidy and encourages further flowering.

Display the rounded blooms near pathways, seating areas or the front of sunny borders, where their tubular florets can be seen clearly. For vase use, cut freshly opened flowers in the morning, place the stems in water promptly and remove leaves that would sit below the waterline.

FAQs

Will I get every colour shown in the photos?

Colours vary between seed-grown plants, so a small sowing may not include every shade pictured. Growing several plants gives you a better chance of enjoying a broader mixed display.

Can I sow the seeds directly into their final pot?

Yes. Use a fine, level surface and keep it lightly moist during germination. Once the seedlings establish, thin them to leave one strong plant in a 10–12-inch pot.

Why are seedlings collapsing at soil level?

A thin or water-soaked stem near the soil surface may indicate damping off. Remove affected seedlings, improve airflow and avoid keeping the mix constantly wet. Use clean trays and fresh seed starter mix for the next sowing.

Common names: Double Gaillardia, Double Blanket Flower, Lorenziana Gaillardia, Gaillardia pulchella ‘Lorenziana’