Sunny yellow coreopsis blooms are a great way to brighten your border from summer to frost, invite loads of pollinators in, and fill a vase with long-lasting color. Native to North and Central America, this charming wildflower is also called tickseed for the shape of its small oval seeds. While there are more than 100 species of coreopsis, the most common ones you’ll find at garden centers are the hardy perennial types, especially threadleaf, bigleaf and lots of cultivars or hybrids of the two.
The threadleaf coreopsis at right has the classic single yellow flowers, but you’ll also find pink or bicolor yellow and red species as well as many newer hybrids in pink, burgundy, cream and shades of orange. If you can’t find a coreopsis you like at your local garden center, try a specialty nursery. I’ve listed a few on page 39.
Most coreopsis are perennials, but a few are annuals, and several are tender perennials grown as annuals in colder zones. So whether you want something permanent or would like to try something new every year, you have options.. Turn the page for some great ways to use this versatile plant in your garden.
Botanical Names
Bigleaf coreopsis
Coreopsis grandiflora
Threadleaf coreopsis
C. verticillata
Coreopsis
Coreopsis spp. and hybrids
