Renowned for its fine, needle-like foliage and prolific blooming habit, Threadleaf Coreopsis is a cornerstone of the low-maintenance garden. This perennial variety forms dense, airy clumps that are highly drought-tolerant once established. Its most celebrated cultivar, 'Moonbeam', produces a soft cloud of buttery-yellow flowers from early summer into fall, while 'Zagreb' offers brighter golden blooms on slightly shorter plants. The species spreads gradually by rhizomes, making it an excellent ground cover that is not overly aggressive.
As the name suggests, this variety is prized for its showy, brilliant yellow flowers that can reach up to three inches in diameter. A short-lived perennial, Coreopsis grandiflora is a heavy bloomer in its first few years, making a significant impact in borders and cottage gardens. Cultivars like 'Early Sunrise' are particularly valued for their semi-double flowers and ability to bloom in their first year from seed. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, though it may require division every 2-3 years to maintain vigor.
A tough and adaptable native perennial, Lanceleaf Coreopsis is easily identified by its distinctive, lance-shaped basal leaves. It produces cheerful, golden-yellow flowers with notched petals on upright stems throughout the summer. This variety is exceptionally hardy, tolerating poor soil, heat, humidity, and drought, making it ideal for naturalized plantings, meadows, and challenging roadside conditions. It readily self-seeds, which helps it form attractive colonies over time.
Offering a delightful departure from the classic yellow, Coreopsis rosea features delicate, daisy-like flowers in shades of soft pink with yellow centers. This North American native prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil and can even tolerate partial shade, unlike many of its sun-worshipping relatives. Its fine, almost grassy foliage provides a beautiful textural contrast in the garden. Cultivars such as 'Sweet Dreams', which has cherry-red centers fading to white tips, expand the color palette even further.
This species is most commonly grown as a charming annual, though it may act as a short-lived perennial in warmer zones. Coreopsis tinctoria is celebrated for its bicolored flowers, which typically feature maroon or burgundy centers surrounded by yellow or red rays. It grows quickly from seed, blooms profusely all summer long, and readily self-sows for a return appearance the following year. It thrives in lean, well-drained soil and is a fantastic choice for pollinator gardens, as bees and butterflies are highly attracted to its nectar-rich blooms.
