WILDFLOWER of the YEAR: BLANKETFLOWER
Blanketflowers are vibrant symbols of warmth and friendship
A well-loved Texas icon, firewheels and other blanketflowers rarely exist in isolation. They tend to grow en masse, “blanketing” the ground with cheerful color and symbolizing the togetherness we all crave — especially now. These eye-catching blooms are also resourceful, sometimes popping up in sidewalk cracks and reminding us that it’s possible to overcome even the most challenging circumstances. All of this — plus the fact that bees and butterflies love it — inspired us to declare the blanketflower our 2022 Wildflower of the Year.
Native Blanketflower Species
There are 10 Gaillardia species and 13 botanical varieties native to North America. Browse them on our database, where you can sort by state, bloom time, height and more.
Maroon blanketflower PHOTO Ray Mathews
What’s in a Name?
Firewheels (Gaillardia pulchella) are sometimes referred to as “Indian blankets” — but should they be? Peter d’Errico shares his thoughts in this Wildflower magazine article.
PRINT Lisa Gerber
Uniquely Beautiful
Native in 44 U.S. states, blanketflowers are found everywhere from coastal dunes to mountain peaks. Take a closer look at some of their blooms.
Winkler’s blanketflower PHOTO Joseph Marcus
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