What looks great with coreopsis in the garden? The answer is coreopsis looks great with just about everything! Over the last two years I’ve acquired several types of coreopsis (also called tickseed) and experimented with it in different combinations and found it plays well by itself and with others. Here are few coreopsis companions from my garden.
“Moonbeam” Coreopsis
Here on the left is one of our two ‘Moonbeam’ coreopsis plants beginning to bloom. Even when not in bloom the threadleaf coreopsis plants look cool just because of their feathery, fern-like foliage.
Coreopsis ‘Sunfire’ and Red Yarrow (Achillea)
This is perhaps one of my favorite combinations. This seed raised coreopsis (I believe its a descendant of coreopsis ‘Sunfire’) blends well with the red of the Paprika yarrow (achillea) next door. These two companions are growing and thriving in the rain garden. Achillea is one of those plants that you can divide and divide and divide. Several small sprigs of achilea that I transplanted last fall are already becoming descent sized first year plants about to bloom.
Coreopsis and Daylilies
Why not try yellow on yellow? As long as the yellow isn’t exactly the same shade it works! In this case the coreopsis ‘Sunfire’ is hanging out with the daylilies. The oddest thing about these daylilies is that they are so yellow compared to the divisions on the other side of the sidewalk. They all came from the same plant but the daylilies nearest the house are much more yellow than their siblings.
Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ and Orange Asiatic Lilies
And though they aren’t close yet the new additions of ‘Jethro Tull’ and the ‘Orange Pixie’ Asiatic Lily will be best of friends before long. Spacing is important since this coreopsis should eventually fill in the gap between them.
Coreopsis comes in colors other than yellow but the only one I have that isn’t yellow hasn’t bloomed yet. I’ll show you it as it decides to bloom. Coreopsis is very easy perennial to grow from seed and well worth it. It’s low maintenance, drought tolerant, and has few pests. My coreopsis actually survived the leaf beetle larvae attack earlier this spring. What more can you ask for in a perennial? Have you planted one yet? What coreopsis companions have you planted?
Other Great Coreopsis Companion Plants
Here’s a short list of a few more great companion plant options for planting along side your coreopsis plant.
- Salvia – This plant produces spikes of blue, purple, or pink flowers that complement the bright yellow of Coreopsis.
- Rudbeckia – Also known as black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia has a similar bloom time and color scheme to Coreopsis, and the two plants look great together.
- Echinacea – Another daisy-like flower, Echinacea is available in a range of colors, from white to pink to orange, and it looks great next to Coreopsis.
- Penstemon – This plant produces tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, and blue, which provide a nice contrast to the round, flat flowers of Coreopsis. Penstemon is good for attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators.
- Nepeta – Also known as catmint, Nepeta produces spikes of lavender-blue flowers that look great next to Coreopsis. Additionally, the foliage of Nepeta releases a pleasant scent when brushed or crushed. Catmint is very easy to propagate!
- Achillea – Commonly known as yarrow, this plant produces clusters of small flowers in shades of yellow, pink, and white, which complement the yellow flowers of Coreopsis. (So good I had to mention it twice!)
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I actually had so many I pulled them up……..I know, I know. I still have a few that return every year. I also like them with society garlic and white yarrow.
Palace Purple Coral Bells or Husker Red Penstemon. I love the yellow flower/reddish leaf combo.
My neighbour has a yellow-blue-purple-wine theme going, and one of her yellows is coreopsis. The wine is a group of rosey-purple berberis. Very effective.
Hi! I think that salvia May Night looks wonderful with Tickseed…and if I can keep it blooming a bit longer, the liatris will compliment it nicely. gail
Oh those coreopsis are so lovely! I had to buy two new ones this year since the ones I got last year did not make it. I also have some Paprika yarrow (Achillea), and a couple of others. And some lovely red asiatic lilies. I've put pics of most of it on my garden blog but most of it is still small and new yet. I'll have to post new ones when they get bigger! Yours are beautiful!
I've had the most luck with Jethro Tull than some of the others like Moonbeam. Maybe it's time to give them another try. 🙂