Dry Gardens Attract Butterflies with Coreopsis

Coreopsis is a perennial that is a native plant primarily in the eastern, central and southeastern parts of the United States. The flowers attract butterflies but resist deer and foraging rabbits. Most Coreopsis species, and the hybrid cultivars bred from them, thrive best in a dry garden, in soil that retains low amounts of moisture.

Grandiflora and Lanceolata Tickseed Perennials

Coreopsis grandiflora and Coreopsis lanceolata are two clump forming species of the daisy shaped perennial. Tickseed is the common name for both. The native plants grow large, up to 3′ tall. The dark green leaves are lanceolate leaves with serrated margins.

Coreopsis cultivars for the home garden include a plant winner, a flower with red and yellow colors and a new hybrid:

• C. lanceolata ‘Sterntaler’ has yellow-fringed petals with a reddish ring around a brown center. It blooms in late spring through the end of summer.

• C. grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’ is a 1989 All America Selections winner. The compact plant grows 2′ tall with double yellow flowers.

• C. ‘Jethro Tull’ has yellow fluted flowers growing up to 15″ tall. It is a new hybrid produced by combining Early Sunrise and Coreopsis auriculata ‘Zamphir.’

There are approximately 100 native species in the central United States and Hawaii. However, C. grandiflora and C. lanceolata are hardy as far north as zone 4. Coreopsis lanceolata is one native species in Florida and designated the state’s wildflower.

Southern Native Coreopsis

Coreopsis auriculata is a perennial native in the southern United States. The short busy plants have erect flower stems with ear-like lobes found at the base of the ovate to oblong leaves. This Coreopsis is the exception to thriving in dry locations; its leaves will fail where moist well draining soil is unavailable.

Coreopsis auriculata ‘Zamphir’ is a low growing plant with the characteristic tubular petals, which are yellow. The plant tolerates hot humid climates but is inappropriate for xeriscape or dry gardens.

Hardy Threadleaf Plants

Coreopsis verticillata is hardy up to zone 3 but a native threadleaf Coreopsis as far south as Florida, as well. The leaves are linear creating a finely textured background for the daisy shaped yellow flowers. Coreopsis verticillata is called threadleaf for the needle-like appearance of the leaves.

Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’ has light yellow flowers that are so dependable it was named 1992, Perennial Plant of the Year. It is a dense 3′ tall plant.

A new seedling discovered in 2005, is now a plant out in 2010, called Coreopsis verticillata ‘Route 66.’ The center of the flower is burgundy red that bleeds down to the tips of the petals.

New Coreopsis Route 66

Patti Baur of Baur’s Forever Flowers Perennial Farm discovered the seedling that became the new Coreopsis verticillata ‘Route 66.’ The plant has been reported to withstand several cold events in Lucinda, Pennsylvania; however, to date the plant is labeled hardy only as far north as zone 5. Coreopsis verticillata ‘Route 66’ was trialed for the first time in 2009.

Coreopsis plants fit well in sustainable perennial combinations. They attract butterflies and are appropriate for native gardens. Another idea is mixing the strong Coreopsis daisy-like structure with the feathery Russian sage appearance; both plants will thrive in dry gardens.