Gaillardia x grandiflora
(sold as Fanfare)
Family: Asteraceae
Common name: BLANKET FLOWER
Native to: Garden Origin, Naturalized South Western United States
Plant
Type: perennial
Forms: clumping, erect
Max height: 1.25 feet
Max width: 1.5 feet
Flower
orange, secondary color present
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, specific butterfly species
Exposure: sun
Landscape use: container
Propagates by: seed
flowers in fall
flowers in spring
flowers in summer
Soil type: well drained
USDA Zones: zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f
Temp. range: -30 to +30 °F
Water: dry, moderate
Butterflies that feed on this plant
leaf
margin
Gaillardia, a member of the Rubiaceae family, is called BLANKET FLOWER. There are 26 species, of which Gaillardia aestivalis, aristata, pinnatifida, pulchella, and x grandiflora are perennials in cultivation. They can be grown in moderate to dry watering conditions.
Gaillardia x grandiflora, a perennial, is of garden origin and has naturalized in the South-western United States. It is a cross between Gaillardia pulchella and G. aristata. There are numerous varieties in cultivation. This BLANKET FLOWER (aka INDIAN BLANKET or FIREWHEEL) can be grown in Zones 4-9, flowers in spring, summer and fall, and grows from seed to just over a 1 foot high to 1 1/2 feet wide. The petals are orange with yellow tips and is daisy form. The blossoms of 'Fanfare' sometimes present a wider flare at the tip of the petal. It can be grown in sun or light shade. It will continue to bloom without deadheading (and birds might like the seeds).
Gaillardia x grandiflora is a charming plant that produces abundant flowers over a long growing season and is attractive to birds, bees, and butterflies. Honey bees in particular love this plant. Gaillardia can be grown in containers - you can easily compose a large container using it to fill out the bottom when paired with a taller plant.
There are numerous butterflies that feed on plants in the Compositae family. Gaillardia appeals in particular to these butterflies:
Agraulis vanillae, Gulf Fritillary
Colias alexandra, Queen Alexandra's Sulphur
Pontia protodice, Checkered White
Speyeria hesperis, Northwestern Fritillary
Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial
This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.
