When to Plant Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) in Cameron County, TX

Gaillardia (Gaillardia aristata), the native blanket flower of the American West, is one of the most floriferous and longest-blooming perennials available — producing cheerful, daisy-like flowers in fiery red, orange, and yellow combinations from early summer through hard frost in most climates. Named for the way its spreading colonies mimic the patterned blankets of Indigenous American weavers, gaillardia thrives in the exact conditions that challenge other perennials: poor, dry, gravelly soil in full sun. An outstanding pollinator plant, attracting bees, butterflies, and finches that feed on its seed heads. Somewhat short-lived (3–5 years) but self-seeds freely to sustain garden colonies.

Cameron County, Texas is in USDA Zone 10a. The average last spring frost is February 4 and the first fall frost is December 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 321 days.

At an elevation of 4,025 feet, Cameron County receives approximately 58.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 103°F, so Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) root diseases.