The blanket flower is an iconic prairie flower, dotting the grassy slopes with cheery red and yellow blooms in early summer. They aren’t at all fussy, and will thrive in any sunny well-drained spot. Cultivars are commonly available, but ours are wild type, grown from seed collected on the hills north and south of Missoula. These tough plants handle drought by going to seed when the soil dries, however a little extra water in July and August will keep them blooming into October. They go nicely with yarrow, idaho fescue, bluebunch wheatgrass, and fringed sage.