The Genus Gaillardia
Firewheels
Family: Asteraceae
There are 23 accepted species of Gaillardia native to North and South America. It was named after Maître Gaillard de Charentonneau, an 18th-century French magistrate who was an enthusiastic botanist. Common names include firewheel, and blanket flower.
These are perennial plants, or annuals in spots that don’t have enough resources (water). They are excellent nectar plants and larval hosts for the moth genus Schinia.
There are numerous horticultural varieties though we tend to stick to the regular species which are gorgeous plants.
Most of these plants are at home in the perennial garden. Though they are drought-tolerant, they will perform for you much better with regular water, and amended soil.
Gaillardia pulchella flower by Max Licher, SEINET
Gaillardia aristata
Common Blanketflower
Herbaceous perennial with lance-shaped leaves. Flower colors vary from yellow to red and yellow. Plants are tall, and can reach up to 3’, though usually shorter in our low desert region. They can bloom almost anytime in warm weather. They may take a break when it gets cold.
Plant in full to part sun, but avoid reflective heat. Provide moderate to regular water and amended soil. Plants are hardy to -30°F. If plants get ratty-looking, cut them back.
Blanket flower attracts butterflies and native bees, and is the larval food host of the Bordered patch (Chlosyne lacinia) and several moths including Schinia species.
Some Plateau Indian tribes used blanketflower to treat wounds and settle fevers.
Gaillardia is named for Gaillard de Charentonneau, an 18th century French patron of botany; aristata means "bearing bristles" in botanical Latin, in reference to the rough hairy leaves and stems.
Found in many habitats such as plains, prairies, and meadows in a wide range in western and northern United States and Canada, including northern Arizona.
Gaillardia pinnatifida
Red Dome Blanketflower
This is a smaller and wilder Gaillardia which is usually about a foot tall and wide, sometimes a little bigger (especially with flowers). Yellow flowers with prominent red “domes” in the center emerge in warm weather.
Plant in full to part sun. Provide moderate water. This species is tougher than most blanketflowers. The exact cold hardiness isn’t known but cold is definitely no worry for us in our region.
Blanket flower attracts butterflies and native bees, and is the larval food host of the Bordered patch (Chlosyne lacinia) and several moths including Schinia species.
The plant was rubbed on mothers’ breasts to wean infants; an infusion of the plant is used as a diuretic, to treat heartburn and nausea, and ceremonially; a poultice of the leaves is applied to treat gout, and the seeds can be eaten as food.
Gaillardia is named for Gaillard de Charentonneau, an 18th century French patron of botany; pinnatifida means pinnately cut, referring to the shape of the petals.
Often found on limestone soils on mesas, plains, and in open pine forest, from 3,500-7,000 ft. from Colorado and Utah, south through New Mexico and Arizona, into Mexico.
Gaillardia pulchella
Firewheel
Short-lived perennials growing about a foot tall, sometimes a bit taller. Flowers year round but heaviest in summer. Flowers vary but are usually red with slightly yellow-tipped petals.
Plant in full to part sun. Provide regular water and amended soil. More care will keep the species looking good and living longer—meaning amend the soil and be consistent with water. Hardy to -30°F.
Blanket flower attracts butterflies and native bees, and is the larval food host of the Bordered patch (Chlosyne lacinia) and several moths including Schinia species.
Used as an ornament in homes, as a good luck charm, rubbed on breasts to wean infants, and as a psychological aid for drummers.
Gaillardia is named for Gaillard de Charentonneau, an 18th century French patron of botany; pulchella is derived from the Latin for beautiful.
ound in open sites and in disturbed areas, from 4,000-6,000 ft in much of North America and Alaska (exclcuding the pacific northwest and western Canada); south to South America.