Gaillardia

I found this to be an odd but interesting plant. I took these pictures as it progressed through its stages.

Stage 1: No bigger than a dime

Stage 2: A large colorful flower

Stage 3: Petals start to droop and center begins to bulge

Stage 4: The final stage (about a month later)

Here is a picture of the total plant

Gaillardia is a blanket flower. This is one of many varieties referred to as the “Arizona Sun”.  This perennial is a genus from the sunflower family. The plant grows to 1 to 2 ft tall.(Zone 3)