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Gaillardia pulchella (Indian Blanket)

Indian Blanket, Firewheel, Girasol Rojo

Gaillardia pulchella ,Indian Blanket, Firewheel, Girasol Rojo, Blanket Flowers, Red Flowers, Bicolor Flowers, Drought tolerant flowers, Salt tolerant flowers
Gaillardia pulchella ,Indian Blanket, Firewheel, Girasol Rojo, Blanket Flowers, Red Flowers, Bicolor Flowers, Drought tolerant flowers, Salt tolerant flowers

Native to most of the United States, Gaillardia pulchella (Indian Blanket) is a showy annual or short-lived perennial boasting daisy-like flower heads, 2 in. across (5 cm), with a brownish-red center disk surrounded by red rays with yellow tips. Blooming from late spring to fall, the flowers provide continuous color in the garden or containers. They are borne atop hairy branching stems that are mostly leafless at the top. The alternate leaves, up to 3 in. long (7 cm), may be entire or somewhat toothed. Rich in nectar, the flowers attract pollinators, including honey and native bees, and butterflies. Birds love the seed heads. An important wildflower of the prairies and meadows, Gaillardia pulchella is easy to grow, heat and drought-tolerant, and requires little care. It reseeds readily and can form dense colonies. This species is a short-lived perennial in warm, coastal areas.

  • Grows up to 10-12 in. tall (25-30 cm) and 6-12 in. wide (15-30 cm). Reseeds in optimum growing conditions.
  • Thrives in full sun in average, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Prefers sandy soils and tolerates poor, dry soils. Rich soils will produce large, floppy plants with few flowers. It is salt-tolerant and is often used in coastal landscapes.
  • Easy-care plant with no serious pest or disease issues. Susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils.
  • Deadheading and supplemental summer watering will prolong the bloom period.
  • A wonderful addition to the garden, this enthusiastic bloomer is well suited to beds and borders, containers, rock gardens, butterfly gardens, or prairies and meadows.
  • Easy to grow from seed in the garden after the last frost or indoors 4-6 weeks earlier.
  • Native to the eastern and south-central United States, Mexico.

Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 12
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Annuals, Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Gaillardia
Common names Indian Blanket, Firewheel, Gaillardia
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Connecticut, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Northeast, Midwest, California, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Florida, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado
Tolerance Drought, Salt, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Gaillardia aristata (Great Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Celebration’ (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia ‘Burgundy’ (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Sun Devil’ (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Red Sun’ (Blanket Flower)
Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Oranges and Lemons’ (Blanket Flower)

Recommended Companion Plants

Helictotrichon sempervirens (Blue Oat Grass)
Castilleja indivisa (Texas Indian Paintbrush)
Lupinus havardii (Big Bend Bluebonnet)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

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Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 2 - 11
Heat Zones 1 - 12
Climate Zones 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Annuals, Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Gaillardia
Common names Indian Blanket, Firewheel, Gaillardia
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Height 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spread 6" - 1'
(15cm - 30cm)
Spacing 12" (30cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy
Native Plants United States, Connecticut, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Northeast, Midwest, California, Southwest, Rocky Mountains, Southeast, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, Florida, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Colorado
Tolerance Drought, Salt, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow, Gravel and Rock Garden, Informal and Cottage, Coastal Garden
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Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
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