Gaillardia, also known as Indian Blanket Flower, has been blooming prolifically this summer. The flowers planted in the park at Main and Broadway that features Oklahoma native plants are a good example. This cultivar is ‘Goblin.’
Indian Blanket Flower, Gaillardia pulchella, was officially adopted as the Oklahoma state wildflower in 1986. Its colors were used to develop the decorating scheme for the interior of the dome added to the capitol building.
Over the years perennial varieties of this plant have been developed. Although this plant returns each year, many additional plants will sprout from seeds dropped around it. As these new plants become hardy they can be transplanted as desired.
Occasional deadheading is required to promote new blooms, however Steve Dobbs in his book, “Oklahoma Gardener’s Guide,” says that too frequent deadheading can cause the plant to be short lived and might make it last only three or four years.
He also suggests that at the end of the season the blooms be left on the plant to provide seeds for more plants. The dormant growth needs to be removed by late February before new growth appears.
Like the other plants chosen for this park, Indian Blanket is drought tolerant after it is established. Occasional watering during periods of drought is recommended.
Several Gaura, also known as Whirling Butterflies or Wand Flower, are planted in the bed to the south of the Indian Blanket Flower. Gaura needs very little water. In fact, too much water will kill it, a lesson I learned the hard way in our yard. The Gaura I ignored is doing fine. The plants I watered too frequently have died!
Two Oklahoma Redbud trees are in this bed along with several coreopsis. As these trees mature, other locations will need to be found for some of the perennial plants that require full sun to do well.
The park is being developed with funds from a $500 grant provided by the Principal Financial Group through the National Garden Clubs. The Shawnee Council of Garden Clubs and the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee provided matching funds.
The city of Shawnee owns the land. Additions still planned for the park include a drip irrigation system to be installed with funds from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board through Sustainable Shawnee and a small stage in the northwest corner to be built by the city Parks Department.
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Gaillardia, also known as Indian Blanket Flower, has been blooming prolifically this summer. The flowers planted in the park at Main and Broadway that features Oklahoma native plants are a good example. This cultivar is ‘Goblin.’
Indian Blanket Flower, Gaillardia pulchella, was officially adopted as the Oklahoma state wildflower in 1986. Its colors were used to develop the decorating scheme for the interior of the dome added to the capitol building.
Over the years perennial varieties of this plant have been developed. Although this plant returns each year, many additional plants will sprout from seeds dropped around it. As these new plants become hardy they can be transplanted as desired.
Occasional deadheading is required to promote new blooms, however Steve Dobbs in his book, “Oklahoma Gardener’s Guide,” says that too frequent deadheading can cause the plant to be short lived and might make it last only three or four years.
He also suggests that at the end of the season the blooms be left on the plant to provide seeds for more plants. The dormant growth needs to be removed by late February before new growth appears.
Like the other plants chosen for this park, Indian Blanket is drought tolerant after it is established. Occasional watering during periods of drought is recommended.
Several Gaura, also known as Whirling Butterflies or Wand Flower, are planted in the bed to the south of the Indian Blanket Flower. Gaura needs very little water. In fact, too much water will kill it, a lesson I learned the hard way in our yard. The Gaura I ignored is doing fine. The plants I watered too frequently have died!
Two Oklahoma Redbud trees are in this bed along with several coreopsis. As these trees mature, other locations will need to be found for some of the perennial plants that require full sun to do well.
The park is being developed with funds from a $500 grant provided by the Principal Financial Group through the National Garden Clubs. The Shawnee Council of Garden Clubs and the Shawnee Chamber of Commerce Beautification Committee provided matching funds.
The city of Shawnee owns the land. Additions still planned for the park include a drip irrigation system to be installed with funds from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board through Sustainable Shawnee and a small stage in the northwest corner to be built by the city Parks Department.
