Gaillardia aristata (common blanketflower, "Otenningiku")

Japanese name: オオテンニンギク （大天人菊）
Scientific name: Gaillardia aristata

[Overview]
A perennial about 20–70 cm tall.
The stems branch freely and, like the leaves, are hairy.
There are basal leaves and alternate leaves on the stem; they are lanceolate and slightly grayish green, and the leaves on the lower part of the stem may be pinnately lobed.
The leaves on the upper part of the stem are entire.
Flower heads about 7 cm across are borne at the stem tips; the ray florets are yellow at the tip, shallowly 3-lobed, and reddish purple at the base.
The tubular florets are brownish or reddish purple.
The fruit is an achene.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed, by stem cuttings, or by division.
The optimum temperature for germination is 15–18°C.
It prefers a sunny, airy, well-drained, fertile soil.
It dislikes excess moisture and strong drought.
If the conditions suit it, it grows well even when left alone.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient unless sunny weather continues and the soil becomes dry.
It is best fertilized sparingly; for plants in the ground, a base fertilizer is almost all that is needed, and for potted plants, apply a small amount of slow-release fertilizer in spring or autumn, depending on how the plant is growing.
If you are not collecting seed, remove spent flowers so that the plant does not become exhausted.
Cutting the plant back hard after flowering lets you enjoy a second bloom.
There are no particular pests or diseases.

View this page in Japanese (日本語)