Gaillardia pulchella - Also known as blanket flower, it is a sturdy perennial with bright flowers that bloom throughout the summer and into the fall.

Still, blanket flower is an excellent nectar and pollen resource. It also remains on our list of Florida-Friendly plants. But for gardeners who prefer native wildflowers, consider lanceleaf blanketflower (Gaillardia aestivalis). This wildflower has much of the charm of G. pulchella and is native to North and Central Florida.

The flowers are single, semi-double, double, and even tubular, and grow on long stems above the long, soft, hairy leaves. They are usually reddish purple or orange-red with yellow tips, but can also be solid yellow, orange, or red, and make excellent, long-lasting cut flowers that attract butterflies.