Butterflies Love Showy, Native Gaillardia Blanket Flower

The gaillardia plant is often referred to as the blanket flower and belongs to the sunflower family, Asteraceae. It is believed that it was named “blanket flower” because it resembles the blanket patterns that were created by Native Americans. Gaillardia is native to both North and South America and was named after M. Gaillard de Charentonneau, an 18th century French patron of botany.

Gaillardia plants maintain a vigorous growth if planted in medium, well-drained soils in full sun, and do well as container plants. It tolerates some dry soils, but it does not do well in un-amended, heavy clay soils. Gaillardia self-sows, and is drought resistant.

Producing daisy-like flowers from early summer to early fall, Gaillardia plants display petals that may be colored in shades of yellow, red, orange or peach. Some petals may show off fiery bi-color patterns of red or orange with yellow.

Gaillardia will add a blast of color to sunny garden beds or borders, and the plant’s nectar-rich blooms will bring bees and butterflies to your home’s garden.