“Blanket Flower, Prairie Firewheel”

Years ago, we planted several of these “gaillardias” in our garden, and one still grows every year. The genus Gaillardia was named for Antoine Rene Gaillard de Charentou, a French naturalist and amateur botanist. The term “blanket flower” comes from its connection to Native American blanket weaving and how the flower ‘blankets’ the ground. Growth is only about 12 inches with a sprawling spread of bright yellow, orange, and red blooms.

As native wildflowers, gaillardia attracts several beneficial pollinators. Birds such as the goldfinch, bees, and butterflies are all attracted to the bright flowers’ nectar. Historically root tea was used for gastroenteritis, and chewed/powered root was used for skin disorders.

Blanket flower is accompanied by the Monarch butterfly and bees, highlighting the important relationship between prairie pollinators and plants.

Original mixed media on raw stretched canvas with maple float frame.

This piece is available at Anne Irwin Fine Art in Atlanta, GA