This week, Terri’s Flower Hour #40 arrives at the letters G, H, and I. I went to my photo archive to see what I could post — something local, to keep the challenge close to home. I found a few candidates among our native wildflowers, and then this image stopped me. It holds two flowers, yet between their names they cover all three letters. One flower answers for both G and I — one of those names is scientific. Can you identify them?
Both flowers have appeared on this blog within the last three months, so they may look familiar. Here are a couple of hints while you think it over. If you’d rather not wait, just click here.
G (or I) is the showy one on the right side of the frame. Each slender stem carries a single flower head about 2 inches (5 cm) across, its ray petals burning red at the center and tipped in yellow, like a pinwheel caught fire. When the petals fall, a round seed head stays behind — the photo is full of those pale globes, which I find almost as photogenic as the blooms.
H is the tall one on the left. It stacks its lavender flowers in whorls up the stem, tier above tier, like little pagoda roofs, and can reach 1–3 feet (30–90 cm). Crush a leaf, and you get a clean citrus scent — though the bees and butterflies need no such invitation.
Both are Texas natives, and in late May they bloom side by side along roadsides and open fields — purple spires standing over a low fire of red and yellow.
The Reveal
G is for Gaillardia pulchella, better known as Firewheel.
H is for Horsemint (Monarda citriodora).
I is for Indian Blanket — yet another name for Firewheel.
Two flowers, three letters. Sometimes the archive does the spelling for me.
That is the story behind the shot. If you liked this post, you may also be interested in others featuring Firewheel, FlowerHour, Horsemint, Indian Blanket, Texas, and Wildflowers. Until the next time, keep clicking and capturing the beauty your eyes find.
Posted for Terri’s Flower Hour #40.
Sources:
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Gaillardia pulchella (Firewheel / Indian Blanket) — https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=GAPU
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Monarda citriodora (Horsemint / Lemon Beebalm) — https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=MOCI
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Anita
A beautiful and peaceful scene, Egídio. I love the soft light and the way the different flowers complement each other so naturally.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks for your insightful observation, Anita. Those flower fields are often striking with that color combination.
Steve Schwartzman
That’s quite a typical combo for our area in the latter part of spring. Like you, I’ve long thought of horsemint tiers as little pagodas.
Egidio Leitao
Indeed it is. I have so many shots with those two flowers.
norasphotos4u
Beautiful colors!
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Nora.
pamperrault21
Brilliant! Best, by far, Flower Hour post this week. Great interpretation and you are clearly very observant to have found a shot that combines all three. Lovely post! pp
Egidio Leitao
You are so kind, Pam. Thank you for the enthusiastic comment.
Toonsarah
Lovely flowers, and both new to me 🙂
Egidio Leitao
Thank you, Sarah. You probably saw them in a different version not too long ago. This May 2026 featured Horsemint in better shots (https://throughbrazilianeyes.com/the-lemony-neighbor-horsemint-blooms-in-the-texas-spring/).
Anne Sandler
A great 3 in 1 in a beautiful image, Egidio! Well done!!
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Anne.
Terri Webster Schrandt
Two flowers three letters, so cool and clever, Egidio! The photo is ao beautiful in color and composition. I love the firewheels, we have a version of them here.
Egidio Leitao
Thanks, Terri. I wanted to try being a bit creative with the flower choices.