Growing Coreopsis in the Home Garden

Coreopsis, also referred to as “golden glow,” produces brilliant yellow blooms – resembling a daisy – atop tall slender stems. Height ranges from two feet to four feet or more depending on the cultivar. These easy-to-grow perennials return every year in large clumps adding bright color to the garden in midsummer.

Location: Coreopsis will grow in partially sunny areas where it receives four to six hours of direct sunlight a day, but prefers full sun. These delightful flowers create a dazzling display under the rays of the sun.
Soil: Till the soil to a depth of eight to 10 inches in the early spring. Remove roots, stone and other debris from the soil and rake the area smooth. Add generous amounts of organic matter, such as compost or aged manure and mix it into the top six inches of the soil. Organic matter improves aeration, promotes good drainage and adds slow release nutrients to the soil.
Planting: Sow coreopsis seeds to a depth of ½ inch, spaced four to six inches apart in the spring after the danger of frost has passed in your area. In frost-free areas, coreopsis can be planted in the fall. Cover the seeds with soil and firm down lightly to secure the seeds. Water thoroughly and keep soil moist until seedlings emerge in two to three weeks.
Thinning: Thin coreopsis plants to stand 12 to 18 inches apart when seedlings are two inches high. Excess seedlings can be transplanted to a new area, if preferred.
Watering: Reduce water to once or twice a week or whenever the soil feels dry to the touch one inch below the surface. Coreopsis tolerates dry soil and typically thrives under normal weather conditions.
Considerations: Plant tall coreopsis along fences or in the background of your flowerbed for a dramatic display of color. Dwarf varieties can be planted as borders or in the foreground of your flowerbed.
Cut flowers: Use coreopsis as cut flowers to display in the home. Add purple or lavender blooms to the bouquet for contrast.
Winter care: Cut the foliage back to the ground level in the fall, once it is killed by the frost. Mulch with a three to four inch layer of straw in the fall for winter protection in zones north of zone 6.

Division: Divide coreopsis in either the spring or fall to create new plants.


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