Blanketflowers are one of the longest-blooming native perennials, well suited to hot sunny sites. Soft-yellow daisy petals with a scarlet eye, surrounding a deep burgundy-red button center. Removing faded flowers will greatly extend the blooming season.
Supports a diversity of bees including green metallic sweat bees (Agapostemon spp.), bumblebees, and others who are drawn to the brightly colored flowers. According to Xerces, Gaillardia aristata is also a larval food source for caterpillars of the brilliantly colored gaillardia flower moth (Schinia masoni) and painted schinia (S. volupia), butterflies with wing patterns and colors that mimic blanketflower’s petals.