COREOPSIS: Tickseed
Coreopsis flowers are so much fun in the garden landscape! These carefree perennials are literally covered with brilliant, freshly colored flowers all summer and into the fall. Their single heads on tall, slim stems create a full habit that adds a bright playfulness to the garden. It looks beautiful as a lively accent near trees and shrubs, in containers or planted up on a green roof (like ours at the nursery is!).
The abundant flowers come in a broad array of colors and combinations from creamy yellow, radiant oranges and reds, to vibrant hot pink and are generally about 1-2” diameter each. Many species grow to around 2-3’ tall and wide, although some grow as small as 8” and others over 5’. The leaves vary from simple, dissected to ferny. Talk about diversity!
There are now literally dozens of varieties available of these long bloomers- Many are great cut flowers and attract butterflies. Coreopsis is a group that breeders are having fun playing with right now- which will mean more amazing types for us all to drool over! Below is listed a few of our new favorites and some classics you will want to try as well.
Coreopsis
This is just a representation of the wide array available. If you are looking for a certain type or are interested in what is currently in stock please give us a call.
Coreopsis grandifolia
Early sunrise -.Double, rich yellow flowers 20”h, 18”w. Award winner Zones 4-9.
Flying Saucers - Vigorous, compact plant 18”h & w. Dark yellow semi-double flowers. Great cut flower. Zone 5-9.
Jethro Tull - Compact, free blooming yellow flowers with tubular petals. 12-18”h, 18-24”w Zones 5-9
Coreopsis rosea
Limerock ruby - Rich, mahogany, single flowers. 18”h&w. Tender, zone 8.
Heavens Gate - Bright pink flowers with rose eye. 18-24”h, 24”w. Zone 6.
Sienna Sunset - Uniquely colored burnt sienna flowers fade to light orange. 16-20”h, 24”w Zone 5
Coreopsi tinctoria - Annuals
Mahogany Midget - A gorgeous annual variety with rich, single mahogany flowers. Grows 10”h&w. Great for borders and containers.
Roulette - Mahogany flowers with gold stripes. Great for cutting. Grows 2-2 ½’ h, 12”w.
Coreopsis verticillata
Moonbeam - Fine, feathery foliage is topped with 1” lemon yellow flowers June-August or September. Grows 18” h&w. Zone 4.
Zagreb - Feathery foliage adds great texture to the garden as soon as it emerges in spring. Bright yellow single flowers June-August or September. 12-18”h, 15”w Zone 4.
Coreopsis hybrids.
Some of these varieties are just hitting the retail market and may not be available quite yet. The wild array of new coreopsis includes:
Big Bang series
Cosmic Eye - Wine red flowers with a fringe of yellow 12”h,12-15”w.
Full Moon - Large, butter yellow flowers on a free blooming plant 24-30”h, 18”w.
Galaxy - Sturdy plant 12”t and 12”w with double yellow flowers and shiny leaves.
Red Shift - This fabulous plant has flowers that are yellow with a red eye in the heat of summer but change to more ruby tones as the weather cools. 24-30”h, 18”w.
Terra Nova Hardy series
A few in this series of medium growers (2-3’h&w) are:
Autumn Blush- 2” yellow flowers with a red eye, flowers become increasingly red tinted as season cools.
Snowberry - Cream flowers with a red eye and orange center.1”+ flowers all summer.
Pinwheel - Airy green blue foliage lies under a cloud of hundreds of pinwheel-shaped butter yellow flowers.
Lemonade series
Gold foliage and self cleaning flowers on low maintenance plants. Tender zones 8-10. 14”h, 14”w. Hybrids are called: Cherry, Pink, Strawberry, Tropical
Jewel Series
Citrine - Bright yellow.
Garnet - rosy pink.
Ruby Frost - Stunning ruby red, single flowers with an irregular white edge. 24-26”h, 28”w Zone 7-9.
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Coreopsis tinctoria
FACTS: COREOPSIS
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Coreopsis.
Common Name: Tickseed
Origin: About 80 species of annuals and perennials widely distributed throughout the Americas, especially in the prairies through to the southwestern USA and Mexico
Culture: Full sun and average soil. Very rich or heavily fertilized soil can cause the plants to become floppy and overgrown. Good drainage is necessary.
Maintenance: Coreopsis are quite low maintenance. They are drought tolerant once established but benefit from some moisture when in bloom over the dry summer months. Be careful not to over-water or let the plant sit in standing water and keep fertilizing to a minimum. Tall varieties will need to be staked.
Coreopsis plants benefit from deadheading during their summer bloom period to encourage additional flowering. Cut entire plant back in winter after the first frost.
Older plants have a tendency to decline in vigor. To regenerate, dig up plant and separate the new growth from the older plant. Replant the newer sections and discard
Pests and Diseases: Mildew and root rot are the most common diseases- avoid overwatering or planting in soggy areas.
Protect against slugs as new growth emerges in the spring