As Coreopsis 'Moonbeam', I am a sun-worshipper at my core. To produce my signature profusion of soft, buttery-yellow blooms and maintain my lovely, airy mound of fine, thread-like foliage, I require a minimum of six to eight hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight each day. When planted in full sun, my stems grow strong and upright, and my flowering is most abundant. While I can tolerate very light, dappled shade, especially in regions with intensely hot afternoon sun, insufficient light will cause me to become leggy as I stretch towards the light source. This results in a floppy, open habit and a significant reduction in the number of my charming flowers. Therefore, for the best display of my beauty, please place me in the brightest spot your garden has to offer.
My most critical demand regarding soil is excellent drainage. I despise having my roots sitting in wet, soggy soil, especially during the winter months, as this will quickly lead to root rot and my demise. I am not a fussy plant when it comes to soil fertility; in fact, I thrive in lean to average soils. Rich, heavily amended soils can encourage an overabundance of leafy growth at the expense of my flowers and may also shorten my lifespan. A sandy or loamy soil that is on the drier side is perfect for me. If your soil is heavy clay, I implore you to amend it generously with gravel, sand, or compost to improve drainage before planting me. My adaptability to poor, dry soils is one of my greatest strengths, making me an excellent choice for challenging, sunny locations.
Once I am established, I am remarkably drought-tolerant. My root system is designed to seek out moisture deep in the ground. For the first growing season after planting, please water me regularly to help my roots get settled and grow deep. A thorough, deep watering once a week is far preferable to frequent, light sprinklings. After I am established, I only require supplemental watering during prolonged periods of extreme heat and drought. You will know I am thirsty if you see my foliage beginning to wilt. The key is to avoid overwatering; it is the single greatest threat to my health. It is always better to err on the side of too dry rather than too wet when caring for me.
I am a prolific bloomer, but to keep me looking my best and to encourage continuous flowering from early summer right into fall, a practice called "deadheading" is essential. This does not mean you need to remove each individual spent flower. Instead, once a flush of blooms begins to fade, you can use sharp garden shears to cut back the entire flowering stem by about one-third to one-half. This shearing stimulates me to produce a fresh set of buds and foliage, resulting in a tidier plant and a spectacular repeat bloom. Furthermore, every two to three years, in either early spring or early fall, I benefit from being divided. My clumps can become woody and die out in the center if left undivided for too long. Carefully digging me up, separating my healthy outer roots into smaller sections, and replanting them will rejuvenate me, ensuring I remain vigorous and floriferous for many years to come.
I am generally a very robust and trouble-free plant. However, when stressed by poor drainage or humid conditions, I can occasionally be susceptible to issues like powdery mildew or fungal leaf spots. Ensuring I have good air circulation around my foliage by not overcrowding me with other plants is an excellent preventative measure. I am also largely avoided by deer and rabbits, who do not find my foliage particularly palatable. Aphids might sometimes visit my new, tender growth, but they are rarely a serious problem and can usually be dislodged with a strong spray of water. My primary need from you is vigilance against overwatering, as this is the root cause of most of the problems I might face.
