Gaillardia—widely known as the Blanket Flower—is a tough, sun-loving plant belonging to the sunflower family (Asteraceae). Famous for its vibrant daisy-like blooms, it thrives in heat and poor soils. It’s also native to North and South America, blooming continuously from summer until the first frost.
Fun Facts About Gaillardia:
- It’s Named After a French Botanist: The genus was dedicated in 1788 to Antoine René Gaillard de Charentonneau, an 18th-century French magistrate and botanical enthusiast.
- Colors Resemble Native Blankets: The common name “Blanket Flower” refers to how the fiery red, orange, and yellow petals mimic the vibrant, woven patterns of traditional Native American blankets in the Southwest. Another theory is that the name comes from how the flowers naturally blanket huge expanses of ground with dense color.
- It Inspires University Colors: The maroon and gold school colors of Texas State University were chosen after the Blanket Flower, which grows wild across the Texas plains.