June Plant of the Month — Coreopsis

Twenty-eight of the more than 30 species of Coreopsis, also know as Tickseed, are native to America. The flowers are usually yellow with a toothed tip and can be seen throughout summer and early fall. The name is derived from the Greek word koris, meaning Bedbug. This plant should be a staple in every sunny garden as these plants are easy to grow and usually problem free. Their cheery flowers can find a home in any spot in your garden.

The foliage of most Coreopsis is green, with cut leaves or a fern-like, thread-leaf look. Generally the foliage occurs as a nice clump below the flowers, which are lifted up on long, wiry stems. Most Coreopsis grows around 2 feet tall although this can vary drastically between cultivars. This plant is so popular in the garden that many new hybrids have been produced to allow a Coreopsis for any purpose in the garden.

Hardy to zones 4-9, Coreopsis are not fragile plants and will tolerate any soil unless it is waterlogged. It prefers sandier soils and requires little watering once established. Full sun is preferred for prolific blooms. Very little fertilizer, if any, is needed, especially once established.

You can grow Coreopsis from seed, but with the perennial varieties you will get blooms right away the first year by purchasing established plants. Dig up your Coreopsis clumps every three years or so to divide in the fall after blooming or in the early spring.

Good companion plants for Coreopsis are any of the prairie-type flowers such as coneflowers or daisies. Coreopsis is a drought-tolerant plant, which makes it a great plant for container gardens, xeriscaping or near the road or mailbox where it won't get watered everyday. It deserves a spot in your cut flower garden as well. Due to the varied natures of the many species and cultivars Coreopsis excels in cottage, native prairie or informal borders as well as in a great mass planting in a formal bed.

Coreopsis grandiflora is popular for its large yellow bloom and cut-flower value, while Coreopsis rosea is a smaller plant with pink flowers with a yellow center. If you’re looking for a finer texture, try Coreopsis verticillata, also known as Thread leaf Coreopsis.

Becky Koepke is an graduate student in the University of Tennessee Department of Plant Sciences. Koepke works under the guidance of Dr. Susan Hamilton, director of the UT Gardens, a project of the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station. The original gardens are located in Knoxville on Neyland Drive. Additional gardens are located in Jackson on Airways Blvd. Admission is free, and the Gardens are open to the public seven days a week during daylight hours.

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Contact: Becky Koepke, (865) 329-6399