Blanket Flower (Gaillardia species)
|
|
|
Bee visiting Blanket flower |
|
Blanket flowers and seed heads
|
Plant Family
Aster or composite family. (Asteraceae or Compositae)
Common Names
Blanket flower
Gaillardia
Firewheel (annual)
Indian blanket (annual)
Description
Blanketflower species are native throughout North America. A variety of both annual, biennial, and perennial cultivars have been developed and are available in garden centers.
Blanketflowers are readily reseeding annuals and short lived perennial depending on the species. Cultivars range from 6 to 24 inches high to about 12 to 36 inches wide. Two to 4 inch wide showy blooms in a variety of yellow, orange, and red colors and petal types cover the plants in summer and fall. Blanket flower tolerates a wide variety of soil types but soils should be dry and well drained. This plant requires full sun. It is cold and heat tolerant and is found throughout USDA Zones 3 to 11. Its vibrant flowers and long lived bloom time makes blanket flower a popular garden plant throughout the United States.
Attracts
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Soldier beetles
Additional Resources
West
Nevada - Indian blanket flower, common gaillardia
Utah - Range Plants of Utah: Blanketflower
Southeast
Florida-Gaillardia
Gaillardia pulchella
Louisiana - Herbaceous Perennials: Gaillardia Information
Mississippi - Native Gaillardia adds a warm color interest
Southwest