Gaillardia pulchella aka Indian Blanket

Gaillardia pulchella belongs to the daisy family, Asteraceae. Its common names include firewheel, Indian blanket, and blanketflower. Its native range spans the central and southern United States into northern Mexico. It has also become naturalized along the southeastern US coast. Most sources describe it as an annual. Some also list it as a perennial. It forms upright, bushy clumps with an open outline.

Garden plants reach 1–2 feet [0.3–0.6 m] tall. Sources give widths from about 1–3 feet [0.3–0.9 m]. RHS lists a smaller upper spread of 1.6 feet [0.5 m]. The leaves may look green or gray-green. They range from lance-shaped to spoon-shaped, with teeth or lobes. Soft hairs cover the foliage described by UF/IFAS. Leaves grow one after another along the stems. The upper stems carry fewer leaves than the lower parts.

Flowers rise above the leaves on long stalks. Each daisy-like head spans about 0.17–0.25 feet [0.05–0.08 m]. Flower forms include single, semi-double, and double blooms. Colors include yellow, orange, red, and blends of these. Some red blooms have yellow tips. Flowers appear from summer into fall. Chicago records bloom from July through October. Butterflies visit the flowers for nectar. The fruits do not stand out, but birds eat the seeds. Goldfinches visit seed heads left after bloom.

Grow this plant in full sun and well-drained soil. It tolerates light shade, but sun is the preferred setting. Sand and loam suit it, with acid or alkaline soils acceptable. It withstands heat, drought, and salt near the coast. Wet soil can kill plants, and excess water can cause root rot. Keep seed beds moist while seeds sprout. Plants often reseed and spread into nearby planted areas. Remove spent flowers, then cut back after bloom ends. RHS rates its UK hardiness H4. Published US zone ranges differ, spanning 2–9, 5–9, and 3–11.

Use it in beds, borders, pots, and cutting gardens. It also fits rock gardens, meadows, and coastal sites. Care needs are low, with few major pest problems. Watch for aphids, thrips, slugs, snails, and downy mildew. NC State records traditional teas for gut and skin complaints. It also records tea baths used for pain relief. These records do not establish safe food use or proven treatment.