Firewheel
Gaillardia pulchella
Also listed as Calonnea pulcherrima, Gaillardia bicolor
Also known as Blanket Flower, Indian Blanket, Fiesta Flower
Climate Match for your location
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A cheerful wildflower with red and yellow daisy-like blooms that flower prolifically throughout summer and fall. Extremely drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established.
Why grow it
Gaillardia pulchella outperforms many ornamental wildflowers in poor, sandy, or compacted soils where other species struggle. Unlike some heat-loving annuals, it tolerates both drought and occasional wet periods, making it adaptable to variable rainfall. It provides consistent color and nectar for pollinators across a long bloom window with minimal fertilizer or pest management input.
Watch out for
In consistently moist or humid climates, watch for powdery mildew on foliage, particularly if plants lack adequate air circulation. Deadheading will extend flowering, but allow some flowers to set seed if you want volunteers to establish naturally in subsequent seasons. In regions where it self-seeds readily, seedlings may appear in adjacent garden beds or containers.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southwestern United States and Mexico
Native to: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A cheerful wildflower with red and yellow daisy-like blooms that flower prolifically throughout summer and fall. Extremely drought-tolerant and low-maintenance once established.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Firewheel grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Gaillardia pulchella outperforms many ornamental wildflowers in poor, sandy, or compacted soils where other species struggle. Unlike some heat-loving annuals, it tolerates both drought and occasional wet periods, making it adaptable to variable rainfall. It provides consistent color and nectar for pollinators across a long bloom window with minimal fertilizer or pest management input.
Watch out for
In consistently moist or humid climates, watch for powdery mildew on foliage, particularly if plants lack adequate air circulation. Deadheading will extend flowering, but allow some flowers to set seed if you want volunteers to establish naturally in subsequent seasons. In regions where it self-seeds readily, seedlings may appear in adjacent garden beds or containers.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southwestern United States and Mexico
Native to: Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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