The perennial golden Coreopsis (:Tickseed)

6 Dec '05 7:26 am

Moosey , in her latest News, refers to the lovely red annual Mahogany Coreopsis (:5-Forget-me-nots, then Mahogany Coreopsis. Or: Home, then Flowering Annuals, then Forget-me-nots, then Mahogany Coreopsis). She adds, that it is difficult for the perennial -adorable golden!- varieties to overwinter. And this is only partialy true in my garden...

The golden perennial Coreopsis - Tickseed- (especially,the "grandiflora"varieties), give such a happy , sunny look in any garden! Just like all white blooming plants give space and light to any garden with dark , sombre spots. But the secrets of their success are :

1- The sunniest spot possible. In the front of the border they perform miracles , since they are not taller than 60cms.

2- The best draining conditions in planting time. This can save them during the wet, frozen winters, since they hate excessive water in their roots, more than low temperatures. I personally cover them every winter with light, tiny cubes of wood, which protect them from the excessive dump conditions, absorbing the most of the water before reaching the roots.

3- Cutting back the plants in the lowest level , at the very beginning of Autumn (:here in Belgium until the 10th of September). This enable the plants to create more roots and shoots, before the beginning of the frosts, thus being thicker and stronger during winter.

4 - Dead heading very- very often during the flowering season ( :late June to September-October),in order to prolong their flowering force...and their golden beauty.

But ,still, 2-3 out of the 20 or so plants of my garden die every winter. But I don't worry at all, because I divide the rest of them in Spring, those who remain healthy and thick.

And here are some of the lovely golden Coreopsis thriving in my summer garden every year:

7 Dec '05 12:44 am

I forgot to tell you before, that they are so happy in rich , light soil, and they love the same fertilizer with pot Geraniums.

Happy gardening!

19 Dec '05 9:10 am

Thanks for all that info on the coreopsis, Liza. Your flowers are beautiful - such a mass of colour! I also really like the combination of Mahogany Coreopsis with the hosta in Moosey's border, the pale leaves look good with the strong colour. Yum!

21 Dec '05 9:18 am

I , too, agree concerning the beauty of the strong contrast between the colors of the two plants! I also find the first photo - the close up of the red Coreopsis - really artistic, inspiring, emanating positive energy!Yes!

The perennial golden Coreopsis (:Tickseed)

The perennial golden Coreopsis (:Tickseed)

The golden perennial Coreopsis.

Coreopsis

Mahogany Coreopsis.