Indian Blanket

(Gaillardia pulchella)

Indian Blanket (Gaillardia pulchella)

Rhododendrites

CC BY-SA 4.0

Image By: Rhododendrites

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Estimated Native Range

Summary

Gaillardia pulchella, commonly known as Indian Blanket, is a versatile plant that can be an annual, biennial, or perennial herb or subshrub. It is native to prairies and grasslands, as well as open, disturbed areas in the Southwestern and South-Central USA and Northern Mexico. This species typically grows to a height of 2 feet and a width of 0.5-1 feet. The branching stems are hairy and upright, reaching up to 60 cm (2 ft) tall. The showy, pinwheel, daisy-like inflorescences are 4–6 cm in diameter, with a vivid color palette of red, orange, and yellow. The central disc florets are more red-violet, while the outer ray florets are predominantly yellow. Some varieties exhibit a nearly all-red flower with just the tips of the petals touched with yellow. The blooming period is extensive, often from summer to early fall, and in some regions, it can bloom nearly year-round. The fruit is an achene, hairy and pyramid-shaped, with a pappus extending 5 to 8 mm in length.

Indian Blanket is celebrated for its bright, long-lasting flowers and its ability to thrive in challenging conditions. It is often used in wildflower mixes, as ground cover, and for naturalizing areas. The plant’s high drought tolerance and preference for sandy, well-drained soils make it a low-maintenance choice for xeriscaping. It flourishes in full sun and can adapt to various soil drainage conditions. While it is not picky about soil, it performs best in sandy and well-drained substrates. In the garden, deadheading can encourage continued blooming, and it is known to self-seed prolifically. However, it can become invasive outside its native range, so gardeners should check local guidelines before planting.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Herb
Height: 1-2 feet
Width: 0.5-1 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: Orange, Red, Yellow
Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to prairies, grasslands, and open, disturbed areas in the Southwestern and South-Central USA and Northern Mexico

Other Names

Common Names: Firewheel , Firewheel Blanketflower , Indian Blanket Flower , Sundance , Showy Blanketflower , Fire Wheels , Gaillardia Daisy , Rose-Ring Blanket-Flower , Rose-Ring Gaillardia , Annual Gaillardia

Scientific Names: Gaillardia pulchella , Gaillardia pulchella var. picta , Gaillardia pulchella var. australis , Gaillardia drummondii , Gaillardia pulchella var. drummondii , Gaillardia pulchella subsp. pulchella , Gaillardia picta , Gaillardia neomexicana , Gaillardia pulchella f. lorenziana , Gaillardia pulchella f. picta

GBIF Accepted Name: Gaillardia pulchella Foug.