These free-flowering plants bear large, Marigold-like blooms on long stems. They are good for cutting and will succeed in most situations, but Coreopsis does not like heavy clay and produces few flowers in shady conditions. Tall-growing varieties should be staked and faded blooms removed regularly. The colour range is limited – the flowers are yellow with red or brown in various combinations.
VARIETIES: The annual Coreopsis is sometime listed as Calliopsis in the catalogues. The species C. tinctoria has given rise to a number of garden varieties – ‘Dwarf Dazzler’ has become the favourite one (1 ft, crimson flowers with broad golden edges). C. drummondii has the popular variety ‘Golden Crown’ (2 ft, golden flowers with deep red centres).
SITE & SOIL: Thrives best in light or medium soil. Choose a sunny spot.
PLANT DETAILS: Height 1 or 2 ft. Spacing 1 ft. Flowering period July – September.
PROPAGATION: Sow seeds in April where they are to flower. Thin to required spacing.
