If you like tough perennials, Coreopsis is all that and more! This genus is known for its vigorous daisy flowers:
they are bright, cheery and either shades of yellow or red.
The species, Coreopsis verticillata – (a.k.a Threadleaf coreopsis) pictured here, is an excellent choice for the sunny garden. Its foliage, like the common name Threadleaf coreopsis implies, is finely divided, bright green and forms a lacy backdrop for those happy brilliant yellow flowers.I love this plant because it’s easy, bright, and flowers over a long period of time if you give it a haircut mid-summer. To get the prolific flowering – plant this Coreopsis full sun (6 hours or more). You can go with part shade, but don’t expect to get the same flowering results. In the winter, even in our Mediterranean climate, Coreopsis verticillata tends to die back and resurface again in late winter/early spring. It’s a hardy plant, standing up to NYC winters.
For a look at how this plant looks in mass, s in New York’s Hudson River Park a mass planting see this post and scroll down.
Coreopsis verticillata – (Threadleaf coreopsis)
Size: 18-24″ w. x 18-24″ tall.
Flowers: Beautiful bright yellow flowers with blooms all summer long. To extend the flowering period and get a fresh re-bloom for fall, shear the whole plant back by 25 to 50% in early August. You’ll also find that by this point foliage and seed heads look rangy so shearing will solve that, too.
Soil: Well drained is important.
Water: Not fussy, dry to medium.
Tolerates: Drought, dry or rocky soil, deer and humidity.
Hardy: to 0 degrees F.
What about if you want a more compact variety or one with soft yellow colored flowers. Do they exist? Yes, here are a few.
3 Coreopsis verticillata varieties:
1. Coreopsis v. ‘Zagreb’ – brilliant golden yellow flowers, but a bit more compact than the species, Coreopsis verticillata.
2. Coreopsis v. ‘Moonbeam’ – This variety is distinguished by its more spreading growth. It also has dark purple tinged stems and leaves, and lovely pale yellow blossoms.
3. Coreopsis v. ‘Golden Gain’ – Particularly dense and floriferous, growing to about 2 feet high.
Happy Gardening!
Can’t find Coreopsis in your local nursery? No problem, we’ve included our Amazon link where you can find several varieties of live Coreopsis plants and seeds.
