Gaillardia Pulchella Indian Blanket Flower

I was recently in my local Lowe's garden shop taking a second pass at all the flowering plants. Then, I came upon the Gaillardia plant; more specifically known as Gaillardia Pulchella Indian Blanket Flower. This beautiful flowering plant has a variety of names including Indian Blanket, Indian BlanketFlower, Firewheel, Goblin and Sundance. I'm also thinking it could be an Autumn Beauty like the sunflower!

Thank you for visiting. Might I suggest YOU try growing your own? You will get a lot of joy out of photographing YOUR flowers and sharing those photographs online.

Gaillardia Pulchella Indian Blanket Flower
Photographed September 19, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

I was actually looking for a couple of daisy bushes to add to my second garden in the backyard. That second garden is adjacent to my sunflower garden. I asked the cashier if they had any more daisy bushes, but none were to be had.

Gaillardia Pulchella Indian Blanket Flower
Photographed September 19, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

The very moment I spotted the Gaillardia plant, I was sold. In that second garden, I've planted several daisy bushes so I wanted a flowering plant of a yellow color.

Looking at the colorful blossom, it does resemble a pinwheel and the colors surely do match up with the Autumn Beauty Sunflower Plant that I grew from seed. I didn't realize that the Gaillardia is in the sunflower family!

I planted four different Gaillardia plants in my garden. Looking at the blossoms, I see a subtle bit of difference between the two plants' flowers. The plant on the left has more vibrant yellow at the outer edges whilst the plant on the right seems to have more pinks and reds.

Gaillardia Plant Features:

The Gaillardia plant tolerates poor soil, heat and drought conditions. It grows best in fertile, well-drained soil. To encourage flowering, remove the faded blooms.

Season: Perennial
USDA Zones: 3 -9
Height: 12 to 24 inches
Sowing Rate: 3 to 4 seeds per plant

Environment: Full Sun ~ 20 degrees to 10 degrees Fahrenheit ~ Semi-Moist Soil

Planting Instructions: Dig a hole that is two times the pot width. Set the root ball into the hole to be even with the ground. Add planting mix and combine with garden soil. Fill to ground level and tamp down soil around plant. Water to settle the soil around the plant. Add a layer of mulch around the plant. Be sure to water daily until the plant is well established. Keep the soil semi-moist to promote healthy growth.

Gaillardia Pulchella Indian Blanket Flower
Photographed September 19, 2013 by JaguarJulie Ann Brady

Love these flowering plants? You too can grow them if you have the right environment. Why not try some Gaillardia pulchella seeds. Look for the subtle variations in the Gaillardia flowering plant! And, don't steal my photographs ... use your own!

Singular Gaillardia Pulchella Indian Blanket Flower

Recommended Resources:

• Gaillardia was named after an M. Gaillard de Merentonneau or perhaps Charentonneau, an 18th-century French magistrate who was a patron of botany.
• Gaillardia pulchella thrives in much of central United States, from northern Mexico to southern Canada. It is the state wildflower of Oklahoma.