Gaillardia aristata (Blanketflower)

Blanketflower aka Perennial Blanketflower is a bulletproof perennial that blooms on the first year. It has excellent cold, heat, and drought tolerance - all while being a pollinator magnet. Wide distribution and feels right at home just about anywhere. This flower excels in well-drained, sunny locations in mountain foothills, meadows and forest openings that are generally more arid thanks to its taproot. Never needing supplemental irrigation for survival but only for a better display. Blanketflower is an excellent choice for native, no maintenance beauty. It's presence really shines in the heat of the summer when most other flowers have finished blooming, and the Autumn blooms have yet to start -- this is when the pollinators won't leave it alone. The blooms are beautifully vivid - bright red in the center contrasting with bright yellow and is one of the hardiest wildflowers you could plant. It will thrive in sweltering sun, in compacted rocky soil, through freezes, and