Coreopsis are native American prairie and woodland plants. Their ruggedness and profuse blooms have made them popular with plant breeders, and there are over 100 different species available, although not all are perennial plants.
Low maintenance, drought-tolerant and long-blooming, Coreopsis are workhorses in a sunny flower border. Their common name, "Tickseed," is supposedly for the resemblance of the seeds to ticks. That doesn't stop the birds from devouring them if you leave the seed heads on during the winter.
Most Coreopsis are clump-forming, holding their daisy-like flowers on tall stems above the foliage. There the similarity ends. There is a good amount of variety among Coreopsis species.
Growing Conditions
Light: Coreopsis will bloom best in full sun, but it can also be successfully grown in partial shade. The plants may get a bit lankier in partial shade, but they will adapt. Plants may even prefer some afternoon shade in areas with intense dry heat.
Water: They will need regular water when first planted until they are established.
Temperature: Most perennial Coreopsis are hardy in USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9.
Soil: They are very easy to grow and are not particular about soil quality or pH.
Fertilizer: Fertilization of growing Coreopsis is not needed, and too much fertilizer may limit flower production.
Grower's Tips
Most varieties are very easy to grow and are not particular about soil quality or pH. Many can be grown from seed, either started indoors, 4-6 weeks before your last expected frost, or direct-seeded outdoors. Many will seed themselves. However, hybrid varieties do not grow true to seed.
Coreopsis will need regular water when first planted until they are established. After that, they are quite drought-tolerant.
Deadheading will keep the plants blooming throughout the summer. Some of the smaller flowered varieties are difficult to deadhead, and you may prefer to shear the plants once the first flush of flowers fades. They will fill in quickly.
Most Coreopsis plants will form tidy clumps, but some taller species may require staking to look attractive, especially if grown in partial shade.
Although they are rugged plants, they don't tend to live more than 3 to 5 years. A decrease in flowering is a signal, and it is time to divide the plants or plant some new ones from seed.
Pests and Diseases
For the most part, Coreopsis plants grow problem-free. In wet seasons they many fall prey to snails, and slugs and fungal diseases can affect them. To avoid these problems as much as possible, give them plenty of air circulation and plant them in full sun.
Source: about.com
Links
- Back to genus Coreopsis
- Plantpedia: Browse flowering plants by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, or Origin