Gaillardia aestivalis aka Winkler's Blanketflower

Gaillardia aestivalis, or lanceleaf blanket flower, belongs to the daisy family. It grows wild in the central and southeastern United States. Its range runs from North Carolina west to Kansas. It extends south to Texas and Florida. This short-lived perennial can also grow as an annual. Its upright stems form small, rounded clumps. Garden plants reach 1–1.5 feet [0.30–0.46 metres] tall. They spread about 0.7–1 foot [0.20–0.30 metres] wide.

The gray-green leaves have hairs on both sides. Their shape ranges from narrow and lance-like to oval or spoon-shaped. Some have smooth edges; others bear a few teeth. A rosette of leaves grows at the base. Leaves also grow alternately along green or purple stems. The larger leaves sit lower on each stem.

Flowers bloom from May to October. Each head can span 0.25 feet [0.076 metres]. Yellow ray florets surround a brownish-purple central disk. Some rays have red bases, with orange-brown tones beneath. Each ray has three deep lobes at its tip. Some heads have few rays, while others lack them. The rounded central cones remain showy after the rays fall. Butterflies visit the flowers throughout the long bloom season. Small, dry fruits called achenes follow in summer and fall. White hair tufts help the wind carry them away.

Give this plant full sun and soil that drains well. It grows in ordinary garden soil, including loam and rocky ground. It prefers moist soil with organic matter but tolerates poorer sites. Established plants withstand drought and dry soil. Avoid wet, heavy clay, where plants perform poorly. Missouri Botanical Garden and Chicago Botanic Garden list zones 5–9. NC State lists the warmer range of zones 8–10. Plants grow fast, and seed offers a simple propagation method. They can seed themselves where conditions suit them.

Use it along border fronts or among meadow flowers. Its small size also suits rock, cottage, and pollinator gardens. The blooms provide cut flowers as well as garden color. Removing old heads keeps plants neat and may extend bloom. Cutting back after a summer lull may bring fall flowers. Serious pest and disease trouble is uncommon. Poor drainage can cause root rot, especially during prolonged summer rain. Powdery mildew, aster yellows, and fungal leaf spots can also occur.