Gaillardia
Gallardia aristata is sometimes called common gaillardia, blanketflower, or brown-eyed Susan. It is a perennial in the sunflower (Asteraceae) family.
- Gallardia grows from a long narrow taproot.
- Several hairy unbranched stems grow to 20 to 50 (it can reach up to 70 cm).
- Leaves are lance-shaped and hairy.
- Basal leaves are unlobed and stem leaves are toothed/lobed.
- Solitary or sometimes small clusters of composite hairy flowers grow on long stems.
- About 12 brownish-red disk florets are surrounded by yellow-reddish fringe florets.
- We can see the first blooms in spring and continue into summer.
- All photos by the author. Click an image for a lightbox view.
- After flowering achenes form with a long, sharp pappus.
- Seeds are dispersed by the winds over the summer and fall.
- Gaillardia are pollinated by various types of bees and other insects who are attracted to the bright and colorful flowers.
- Gallardia grows in in drier, open spaces in our area.
- Gallardia is a popular cultivar in the garden. A few images from our garden are shared here:
