Gaillardia, a member of the Compositae family, is called BLANKET FLOWER. There are 26 species, of which Gaillardia aestivalis, aristata, pinnatifida, and x grandiflora are perennials in cultivation. They can be grown in moderate to dry watering conditions.

Gaillardia pulchella, an annual or short-lived perennial, is cultivated. It is native to the Eastern United States, Mexico, South Central United States. BLANKET FLOWER (aka INDIAN BLANKET or FIREWHEEL) can be grown in Zones 7-9, flowers in summer and fall, and grows from seed to nearly 1 foot high to 1 1/2 feet wide. The blossoms are a dark orange with yellow tips on the petals. Overall it is daisy form. The Plume Series offers this plant in solitary colors of yellow or a dark reddish orange. Grow it in sun or light shade.

There are numerous varieties of Gaillardia in cultivation sold by the names Arizona Sun, Fanfare, Burgundy, and Oranges and Lemons. Vendors most often delete the name of the parent plant, others point to the parent plant as either G. aristata, G. grandiflora, or G. pinnatifida.

In any case, this is a charming species that produces abundant flowers over a long growing season and is attractive to birds, bees, and butterflies. Honey bees in particular love this plant. Gaillardia can be grown in containers - you can easily compose a large container using it to fill out the bottom when paired with a taller plant.

In addition to the butterflies that nectar on plants in the Compositae family, Gaillardia appeals to these butterflies:
Agraulis vanillae, Gulf Fritillary
Colias alexandra, Queen Alexandra's sulphur
Pontia protodice, Checkered White
Speyeria hesperis, Northwestern Fritillary