Gaillardia, or blanket flower, bursts with fiery red and yellow bicolor blooms that resemble a woven blanket pattern, thriving in hot, dry conditions that defeat many other perennials.
Native to North and South America, blanket flower is exceptionally heat- and drought-tolerant, making it a favorite for xeriscaping and low-water gardens. Its long bloom season and vivid, sunset-toned coloring have also made it a popular pollinator plant.
Blanket flower symbolizes friendship and unity, its name reportedly inspired by resemblance to blankets woven by Native American tribes, tying the flower to community and tradition.
Gaillardia thrives in full sun and poor to average, very well-draining soil — it actually performs worse in rich, moist conditions, which shorten its lifespan. Deadheading extends bloom time considerably, and this tough perennial rarely needs supplemental watering once established.
Some Native American traditions used gaillardia preparations topically for skin ailments, though the plant today is grown almost exclusively as a low-water, pollinator-friendly ornamental.
