Coreopsis Facts

Identification

• Most varieties of coreopsis have yellow flowers on long, leafless stalks with a few producing pink blooms. The majority of the plants grow about 2 feet, but because of the many species, the sizes can vary widely. Some tall varieties grow up to 4 feet while others have shorter mounding growth habits. All are bushy with daisylike flowers and green foliage. In the fall, the foliage provides additional interest when the leaves dry and turn cinnamon brown with a fine-textured appearance.

Uses

• Because of their versatility, coreopsis is used in all types of gardens from casual cottage styles to formal beds. They make ideal container plants to define an entrance, and the mounding varieties perform well as border edging. Drought tolerant, coreopsis is often chosen in dry climates because of its low water requirements. Often used as cut flowers, the wiry stems with blossoms on top survive a long time in water. The bushy appearance also makes it suitable around the base of a mailbox pole or light post.

Care

• Coreopsis is easy to grow and tolerates all but waterlogged soil. For the best blooming, full sun is required with very little fertilizer. Deadheading the spent flowers encourages abundant blooming. In the spring, adding a thin layer of compost and mulch helps to retain moisture while keeping weeds at bay. It's important to water the plants during summer and dry seasons and stake tall varieties, as needed. After the first hard frost of the year, it's necessary to cut the stems down to 2 inches above the ground in preparation for next year's growth.

Propagation

• You can easily propagate coreopsis to produce many new plants. After three years of growth, you can dig up the clumps during the fall after blooming stops or in early spring. The plants should then be divided into smaller clumps by carefully pulling the roots apart. The individual plants are best planted in holes twice the diameter of their root ball and spaced three to four feet apart. You can also start new plants from seed in soil with a temperature of at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit.