Coreopsis

Family. Asteraceae or Compositae.

Origin. There are about 100 species in this genus - more than 30 of them grow in the regions of North America, the rest are found in Central and South America. A small part lives in Africa.

Description. Coreopsis is a genus of plants in the Asteraceae family, a flowering shrub. The inflorescences are characterized by bright, most often yellow, ligulate flowers with a dark center, but sometimes, on the contrary, there are darker ligulate flowers with a light center.

The inflorescences resemble a "golden ball" - the central part looks like a small circle, in the center of which yellow, brown and other multi-colored small tubular flowers are collected. The diameter of the inflorescences reaches 10 cm.

Height. The height of adult specimens usually does not exceed 1 m, some varieties and species reach only 30 - 50 cm.

Flowering time

The flowering period is very long - it begins in July and can last until the first frost.

Coreopsis is unpretentious and can be planted directly in open ground, and if you cut off the wilting flower heads in time, then in the fall the bush will again form shoots with inflorescences.

Planting and care

Growing is quite easy. Species that are annuals can be sown in a greenhouse in mid-April, or in open ground in May. Perennials only form inflorescences the following season. However, if you grow them through seedlings, the bushes will bloom in the first year.

How and when to plant

Sowing seeds for seedlings is carried out in the first days of March. Low boxes are filled with fertile garden soil and moistened. The seeds are sown evenly over the surface, gently pressing them into the soil, covered with film or glass, and then taken out to a warm, sunny place where there is enough light. 

Soil

Perennial coreopsis are planted in the ground at the end of May. It is advisable that by this time the soil has already warmed up quite well. For better ripening and adaptation of plants, seedlings must be hardened a week before planting in open ground. At the same time, every day she is transferred to the street, gradually increasing the duration of these procedures. 

How to care and trim

Both an experienced gardener and a beginner can easily plant coreopsis on their plot, providing the necessary care, timely watering, systematic weeding and loosening of the soil. Fading inflorescences are cut off with a sharp sterile pruner to maintain an attractive appearance. Tall species may require additional support in the form of an iron rod or peg, to which the shoots will need to be tied.

When growing in nutrient-poor soil, fertilize with mineral complex fertilizers. It should be noted that if fertilizer has already been added when planting in open ground, then fertilize only in the next season. From the beginning of growth, two fertilizing is carried out after the beginning of flowering and in the fall, simultaneously with pruning. It is strictly forbidden to prune large-flowered species of coreopsis - in this case, they may not survive the winter.

Watering and fertilizing

Adult specimens tolerate slight drought, young seedlings should be watered regularly. Watering should be moderate, without stagnation of moisture in the soil, as this can provoke the development of fungal diseases such as black leg.

Transplanting

It is better not to grow bushes constantly in the same place. Replanting should be done at least once every three to four years. Replanting will improve the quality of the soil, saturate it with fresh fertilizers and thus stimulate more abundant flowering. It is best to replant coreopsis in the spring, dividing the bush into several parts, and be sure to remove dried and damaged parts. Transfer the bush together with the earthen lump to a prepared, well-lit place. It is advisable to add some sand and fertilizer to a pre-made hole and plant.

Preparing for winter

To preserve the rhizomes in winter, you need to cut off the shoots completely, leaving no more than ten centimeters above the ground. If the winter was not very severe and snowy, then coreopsis bushes do not need to be covered for the winter. However, if there is a risk of frost and a sharp drop in temperature to minus twenty degrees, then the plant will need additional shelter. For such insulation, you can use fallen leaves, dry tree branches, coniferous spruce branches or humus. In the spring, it is important not to forget to remove the cover so that the roots do not rot.

Reproduction

Annual species are propagated by seeds, which can be sown in the ground at the end of May or before winter. You can get seedlings at home by March, then the bushes will begin to bloom in the summer. Perennial plants reproduce well by division or seeds, but with seed propagation they bloom only the following year.

To sow seedlings, you can use shallow containers, place fertile soil in them, evenly distribute the seeds over its surface, lightly pressing them into the ground. When the boxes with seedlings are ready, they can be covered with a film. The cover is removed once a day to ventilate the bushes and, if necessary, moisten the soil. For spraying, it is best to use a spray bottle so that when watering, the water does not scatter the soil with seeds. In about ten days, shoots should appear, then the film can be removed.

Caring for seedlings

The seedlings are picked into separate pots after 2-3 true leaves appear. When 5-6 leaves appear, replant.

When picking, it is worth preparing a larger space for the seedlings, in the form of a simple wooden box - the main thing is to maintain a distance of about 2 cm between the bushes. As soon as the plants reach 10 cm in height, they will need to be replanted again.

Repeat replanting can be avoided if you immediately sow the seeds at a distance of 10 - 15 cm from each other. At the same time, we must not forget that 100% germination is rare.

Cuttings

It is better to cut cuttings for planting in June - July. Coreopsis with strong, powerful stems is suitable. The shoot for cuttings should have several leaves and 2-4 internodes. Each cutting should be cut 2 - 3 cm below the internode. Remove leaf blades from the lower part so that they do not rot in the ground. Treat the base of the cuttings with rosat hormones and immerse the cuttings in containers with loose substrate. Water the soil well and leave the seedlings in a bright place without direct sunlight. Cover the cuttings with film on top so that moisture does not evaporate. From time to time, remove the film for ventilation. After signs of new growth appear, the cuttings can be transplanted to a permanent place.

Application in landscape design

In terms of flowering time, coreopsis are the champions among flower crops, so they can play a significant role in the garden. Species that are significantly taller than their peers can be placed in the background in a mixborder. Particularly interesting will be combinations with flowers that have blue, blue pyramidal inflorescences - for example, with aconites and speedwells. Coreopsis will also look beautiful on a green background of a lawn or near other bush groups.

A mix of perennial coreopsis can be planted in a bright, color-saturated flowerbed - the bright yellow buds will look attractive with the blue, deep blue inflorescences of other plants, for example, with forget-me-nots and phlox. 

Small-sized varieties can be used to decorate the foreground of flower beds, garden paths, paths, artificial ponds or the territory of rock gardens. Plants can also be planted in flowerpots, containers, and used to decorate a gazebo, veranda, or summer kitchen.

The flower can become a stylish and beautiful decoration of any, even the most nondescript area. Its bright inflorescences highlight the bushes with bright, exquisite coloring.

The plant will delight you with its flowering until late autumn.

Diseases and pests 

The flower is susceptible to fungal diseases of various etiologies.

If the leaves are covered with a rusty coating or dark spots, then with a probability of 95% this means the beginning of the development of some pathology.

To combat the fungus, the bush must be treated with special preparations, and the affected areas with leaves must be removed to prevent the spread of the disease.

If spots appear on the leaves and inflorescences, this indicates the presence of aphids. Affected plants must be immediately treated with insecticides.

Slugs, beetles and other pests are manually removed from the bush.

Common diseases:

Rust is a fungal disease that causes brown spots on the leaves. Damaged parts must be removed. Healthy shoots and leaves should be treated with fungicidal preparations.

Spotting is a viral disease that causes curling of leaves and wilting of stems. There is no cure for this infection. The infected bush will have to be removed from the site and burned.

Fusarium is a fungal infection that is recommended to be treated with fungicides.

Varieties and types

The genus Coreopsis includes annual and perennial species.

Coreopsis verticillata

Whorled coreopsis - Coreopsis verticillata, the stem is dense, ornate, usually up to 1 m high.

There are quite a lot of small inflorescences on the plant, resembling a star in shape. The leaves of the plant are needle-shaped, rich green in color, the reed flowers are oval inflorescences with a sharp end. The difference between this species is its long life cycle and flowering. It begins to bloom in July and ends in autumn, and sometimes the buds last until the first frost. 

Coreopsis whorled Buttacream

Coreopsis whorled Buttacream - Buttacream, usually grows up to 50 cm in height. A plant whose center looks like a basket of small tubular flowers of a milky yellow hue. Brown core is also found. The plant is herbaceous, perennial, easily overwinters in open ground and does not require special shelters. It does not need to be replanted; this variety blooms in the same place usually for up to 6 years. It is better to plant the plant in open places; it is not particularly afraid of frost. They prefer moist and fertile soil. Can be planted in a flower garden as a border or in groups; it looks good as a cut flower. 

Coreopsis verticillata Moonbeam

Coreopsis verticillata Moonbeam is a beautiful, simple, and fairly unpretentious plant with small flowers, light yellow or milky, about 30 cm high. Translated into Russian it means “ray of moonlight.” Blooms in July - September. The variety is winter-hardy and does not require shelter for the winter. The plant loves sunny places with loose soil.

Before planting, it is recommended to fertilize the soil with organic matter and for normal growth to provide free space so that the distance between plantings is 20-30 cm. Water moderately, and at the end of flowering, cut off the above-ground part of the plant by a quarter, feed it with fertilizer, after which the plant will bloom again. Before winter, the part of the plant that remains above the ground is cut off at the root, and in places where the climate is harsh and there is little snow in winter, the plant can be covered with dry leaves or covered with spruce branches. 

Coreopsis verticillata Mango Punch

The plant is a perennial species. The reed flowers or “petals” are similar in color to the mango fruit, which is how it earns its name.

Inflorescences are single baskets from 3 to 5 cm in diameter, length, height, usually no more than 30 cm. It blooms continuously - from July until September, the color of the inflorescences is red-orange-yellow, salmon.

The variety is unpretentious to soils, loves sunny places, possibly with a little shade. Moisture requirements are moderate.

The plant can be easily combined with other types of perennial or annual flowers, and also looks good in a monoplant. Due to the formation of a multi-bud root system, propagation by dividing the bush is possible. But, if after a couple of years the bush has grown greatly, then it is advisable to divide it so that the flowers are not crushed and its flowering does not weaken. 

Coreopsis grandiflora

Large-flowered coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora) is a tall plant, from 30 to 90 cm. The stem is quite thin, the flower heads are large, yellow, up to 8 cm in diameter. The leaves are divided into 3 - 5 narrow lobes. The species is similar to lanceolate coreopsis, but its leaves are divided into lobes. It begins to bloom in late spring - early summer. Loves the sun, is not picky about the soil - just till it well and moisten it. Even dry soil will not be a strong hindrance to it, the main thing is that the soil does not have an acidic environment.

Tall forms of coreopsis are suitable for cutting, and also look beautiful in flower beds, flowering lawns, and borders. 

Coreopsis grandiflora Solanna Golden Sphere

Coreopsis large-flowered Solana series, Golden Cher variety is similar to aster, but compared to other types of coreopsis, it is low - up to 30 cm in height. It has bright yellow, large, double, spherical flowers. Looks good in container gardening. Easy to care for, blooms until autumn. The inflorescences are double, yellow-orange in color. The leaves are bright green in shape and color. There are usually 3-5 pieces on the stem. with lanceolate lobes. Grows best in fertile, well-moistened soils, loves sun and light partial shade.

It tolerates winter easily and looks good in the garden either alone or in combination with other species. In landscape design it is used to decorate flower beds, mixborders and create group plantings. 

Coreopsis Early Sunrise

Coreopsis Early Sunrise differs from the previous one by the presence of a pronounced middle, consisting of small tubular flowers. The leaves are quite large in shape, the upper ones are pinnately dissected, and the lower leaves are solid in shape. Flowering occurs before autumn. The flowers are large, golden-yellow, spherical in shape, becoming a little darker closer to the center. The height of the plant reaches 60 cm. The positive aspects of the variety are that it requires a minimum of care, the plants are very attractive due to their compact appearance and large flowering. Early Sunrise coreopsis seeds require light, so sunny or partial shade areas are recommended for planting. Requires infrequent watering and tolerates drought well. 

Coreopsis grandiflora Turingia

Seeds of Thuringian coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora) can be germinated either through seedlings around the middle or end of March, as well as by direct sowing into the ground in the first half of April - the second half of May. The plant begins to bloom around July - August or August - September (if you plant the seeds immediately in the ground). A small crop, up to 30 cm high. One bush can grow several flower stalks at once, which will bloom at the same time. The flowers are bright orange. This coreopsis is used in group plantings, various flower beds, for growing in pots and in landscape design. 

Coreopsis tinctoria

Coreopsis tinctoria is an annual herbaceous plant. The stem is thin, and as it grows it becomes overgrown with thinner branches, on which thin, light green leaves appear, deeply cut along the veins. Leaf blades appear mainly on the lower part of the bush, leaving the upper part of the plant for effective flowering. Reaches a height of 30 cm to 1 m, depending on the variety.

It is unpretentious to any type of soil, but most of all this coreopsis prefers sandy or slightly rocky soils, where there is enough moisture, but there is no stagnation of water that is detrimental to the plant. Proper planting can eliminate the need for daily watering and fertilizing, although it is not advisable to exclude them from the plant’s diet. It usually begins to bloom in spring and ends in autumn.

Of all the dangers, the plant is most afraid of excessive dampness, which can cause root rot.

Unpretentiousness to external conditions and bright, elegant flowering have made “Coreopsis tincture” a very popular plant in landscape design.

It will make a wonderful bright flower border, garden path - it looks great, like a separate lush bush, and can also decorate any flower garden, creating a contrast for plants with calmer colors.

In addition, for knitting enthusiasts, you can use the flowers of “Coreopsis tincture” to dye wool yarn red. 

Coreopsis lanceolata

Coreopsis lanceolata - a plant found in North and Central America.

A perennial herbaceous plant, the height of which usually does not exceed 50 cm. The leaves are lanceolate or almost linear, rising along the stem, almost disappearing. Flowers up to 6 cm in diameter.

Flowering begins in July and continues until late autumn.

Has many hybrid varieties, for example:

Golden Queen - up to 60 cm in height. Flowers up to 6 cm, the center of the plant is yellow-golden;

Rotkelchen - flowers up to 5 cm in diameter, reed flowers yellow, tubular red;

Goldfink - bred as a dwarf plant, the height of which is up to 30 cm. 

Coreopsis Ruby Frost

Coreopsis Ruby Frost - the plant reaches up to 40 cm in height. Pomegranate, red petals with a white border make it stand out from the whole variety of species. Flowering begins in mid-July and continues until approximately September. The plant prefers sunny areas with loose, well-drained soil. In this case, it is better to fertilize the soil with organic matter and plant at a distance of at least 20 cm from each other, thereby providing free space for normal growth and development of the plant.

Coreopsis is not a capricious plant and therefore requires moderate watering for longer and more abundant flowering. After flowering, the above-ground part is cut by a quarter and fed with fertilizer so that the coreopsis can bloom again. For wintering, the above-ground part is cut off at the root, and in regions with harsh winters, the plant can be covered with dry foliage.

Coreopsis can be propagated vegetatively to obtain earlier flowering by dividing the bush or by seeds in open ground in spring or autumn.

The plant goes well both with other coreopsis crops and in a single-species planting. It successfully coexists with lilies, petunias, zinnias and marigolds. In landscape design, it looks great as a border plant; it can be grown in containers and hanging pots. 

Coreopsis lanceolate Sunfire

Coreopsis Sunfire is a large-flowered perennial approximately 35 - 50 cm in height. The inflorescence in the center forms a basket with small tubular flowers, yellow or orange. The difference between this plant is its rather large semi-double inflorescences with dark red inserts in the center of each reed flower.

It is quite popular due to its beauty, brightness, unpretentiousness and long flowering, from July to the first frost.

Seeds for seedlings usually begin to be sown in March. Seedlings dive after the formation of permanent leaves and are planted after the cold weather has retreated 20 cm from each other in open ground.

Coreopsis looks great in mixed flower beds - it gives quite a bright accent - as a summer cottage option for use in container compositions, it also looks beautiful in mobile flower beds and flowerpots. 

Coreopsis lanceolata Buttermilk

Coreopsis lanceolata Buttermilk is quite unpretentious and tolerates drought well. The height of the plant is from 40 to 50 cm. The delicate coloring of the flowers in a milky-cream style gives the plant its elegance - the petals resemble butter in color. The variety does not require complex care, which will especially appeal to novice gardeners, who can use it to fill flower beds, decorate borders and, in general, add brightness to their area. 

The plant can bloom as early as early June and so on until September.

To make the plant look more impressive, it is better to plant it on the sunny side; in the shade the plant looks less impressive. 

Coreopsis Little Penny

Coreopsis "Little Penny" reaches only 20 cm in height. It is a very small plant. On the stems are its light green leaves, which have a needle-like shape. The petals themselves have a characteristic pink tint, more saturated at the edge of the petal and gradually turning yellow towards the center of the flower. In the center of the plant there is a dark inflorescence of small tubular flowers with yellow splashes.

“Little Penny” is easy to care for and can grow in one place for up to six years.

Coreopsis prefers mostly sunny areas, but can also be found in partial shade without any problems. Moderate watering is recommended. The plant is frost-resistant. 

Coreopsis drummondii

Coreopsis drummondii is a herbaceous annual. It can reach a height of 45 to 60 cm. The stem is highly branched, the leaves are pinnately divided. The flowers are single baskets, up to 5 cm in diameter. The petals are bright yellow from the edges, becoming red towards the center. The center of the plant consists of small tubular flowers of a dark color, with yellow splashes. Found with dark red tongues and a brown center. It begins to bloom in July and blooms until September. 

Coreopsis auriculata

Coreopsis auriculata is a herbaceous perennial with a height of 10 to 30 cm, sometimes reaching 60 cm. Leaves with petioles 1-6 cm long, inflorescence bright yellow, corolla up to 4.5 mm, petals up to 20 mm. Flowering begins from spring to early summer.

The plant's habitat is southeast America. It can be found along roads, in mixed forests in forest clearings and pine forests; limestone soils are best suited for the plant.

It is interesting to note that in the past, orange or red-orange dye was obtained from these flowers and stems.

Coreopsis aurata is used as an ornamental plant. Can be used in flower beds, the species is also used in landscape design, because gradually forms a dense, dense spreading bush with short, broadly oval leaves. The daisy-like flower heads are bright orange-yellow, have serrated ligulate flowers and a yellow central disc. They usually bloom in late spring - early summer. 

Coreopsis tripteris

Coreopsis tripteris is one of the herbaceous, perennial species of Coreopsis of the Asteraceae family.

With a height of 1.2 to 2.5 m, it is one of the tallest species of its kind. The stem is solitary, branching towards the apex.

The leaves are monosyllabic at the base and polysyllabic towards the apex. The petals are yellow, the middle consists of small tubular brown flowers, 3-5 cm in diameter. Flowering begins in July and ends in September.

Grows in southeast America. Found in light wooded areas and prairies.