Bobcat Bucket List #68: Pick a Bouquet of Gaillardia Flowers

Gaillardia flowers are native to Texas hill country and inspired Texas State’s colors of maroon and gold. Some nickname them blanket flowers and others call them firewheels, but either way these bright wildflowers cover highway hillsides and gardens alike.

Gaillardia flowers bloom early spring in Texas along with bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush and primroses. Their blooms are short lived, so pick a bouquet to enjoy while they last.

How to grow your own Gaillardia flowers:

Purchase seeds and plant in well-draining, poor soil after the last frost date. These flowers are easy to grow, so it’s not necessary to start them indoors.
Make sure they’re planted in full sun! They can withstand very hot temperatures.
Lastly, make sure to water them deeply at first. Once they’re blooming, they’re drought-resistant and will still bloom with infrequent watering.

Since Gaillardia flowers don’t last long, it’s smart to dry and preserve them for artwork. You can put them in a frame, in resin, or in a scrapbook.

How to preserve Gaillardia blooms:

Pick the flower and cut off its stem at the base of the bloom.
Next, you’ll want to put two pieces of wax paper inside a heavy book.
Carefully place the bloom in between the wax paper and close the book.
Wait 3-4 weeks then check to make sure the bloom is completely dry.