Texas Gardening: Texas Native Plant Pictures by color ( Red ), 0 by htop

htop wrote:
Fragrant Gaillardia, Perfumeballs, Sweet Firewheel, Rayless Gaillardia, Pincushion Daisy (Gaillardia suavis), Asteraceae Family, Texas native, perennial, blooms March through June, fragrant

Fragrant gaillardia is also known as gyp Indian blanket and rayless blanket flower. It grows in sand, loam, shallow gravelly soil or clay on open, dry and rocky sites. Not requiring much water, it prefers and does best when planted in sandy or gypsum soils. I have found sites that recommend a soil acidity level of above 6.8; however, I have have found them happily growing in limestoney soils that have an alkaline ph. It will grow in full sun or partial shade; but, has see more blooms in full sun.

In a cultivated environment, adequate moisture and removal of mature flowerheads will encourage flowering until fall. I find them quite beautiful. Enjoy their beauty and fragrance by planting them in thick clumps near an entranceway or where you walk frequently. Also, they are useful in xeriscapes, wildscapes and rock gardens.

For more information, see its entry in the PlantFiles:
http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/62370/index.html

The blooms have few petals, if any, that are common to other species in the genus. It provides a strong fragrance similar to gardenias.


This message was edited Jul 30, 2005 7:49 PM