My gaillardia plant also known as firewheel, Indian blanket, Indian blanketflower, or sundance (Gaillardia pulchella) is from the generosity of a blogger friend from Illinois, who gave me some seeds and plants through the mail. This has been with us here in the tropics for 3 years. I was afraid at first that it might not survive our very long and hot dry season, but careful attention propelled it through another rainy season. Additional extra care also made it acclimatize and survive for 3 years, not neglecting to give me a few flowers for the last two years during the rainy months.
It wilts so much during the day, but recover after watering at sundown. It really is a hardy plant. However, the growth is much slower producing only a few stems compared to its ancestors in the US, where probably it is much happier.
a young bud slightly showing the petal color
even just the sepals are lovely enough
Nothing gives me so much delight in photographing a flower, than this gaillardia. It is very photogenic in all stages of growth, and at whatever angle of its profile. It will win easily any photographer's heart. The sunflower is a very much photographed flower, but for me gaillardia is more beautiful.
the very vivid petal colors attract every discerning eye
look at those lacelike peticoat as its petals
even at the later stages when some petals are already gone, it is still lovely
and look at that seed head, isn't it so wonderful
At the base of those structures are the developing seeds, however probably its pollinators are not yet here in our area, other insects have not been detecting it yet. No seeds developed yet from my two plants.
Morning humidity gave some sparkles on those hairlike appendages.
I haven't shown here the whole plant or the leaves, but they are beautiful too. Trust me, every angle, every stage of maturity, and every plant part is lovely for photos.
