If you want a drought tolerant hardy perennial that looks great check out a ‘Moonbeam’ coreopsis. ‘Moonbeam’ is one of the threadleaf varieties and is more drought tolerant because of those narrow needle-like leaves. The smaller surface area means that the leaves lose less water through transpiration than other varieties of coreopsis. It still has the massive profusion of blooms that is a common trait of most coreopsis plants. This perennial thrives in the sun in zones 3-9.
In my experience coreopsis is one of the easiest perennials to take care of in the garden. It grows very well and very easily from seed although ‘Moonbeam’ is sterile. If you want to keep the blooms growing throughout the season all you have to do is deadhead the spent blooms. In some cases coreopsis will flower so profusely that it is easier to cut back the whole plant for a repeat bloom. If it goes to seed it will finished blooming for the year even if it’s cut back so it’s best to prune the flowers right after they fade. I try to keep them cut back during the spring and summer for repeat blooms then allow them to go to seed at the end of the season to proliferate new plants.
My two ‘Moonbeam’ coreopsis plants have many more shoots than I expected coming from the root system. I haven’t explored this option yet but I suspect that I can easily make a few small divisions and move a couple sprigs of this re-seeder to the self-sowing garden next to the border corridor garden.
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Hi Dave .. This is one of my favorites too. It takes a lot of punishment with drought and heat and still looks amazing. The yellow is a soft hue so it mixes well with just about everything : )
Dave,
I have terrible luck with coreopsis which is strange since I can grow stachys, salvia and agastache without any trouble. I went overboard with planting several varieties when I first built the house since my garden is full sun, well drained on the top slopes and exposed to deer. The Moonbeam lasted only 2 years. I lost almost all of the Creme Brulee (planted a flat and have only 5 left). The Heaven’s Gate was gorgeous, but a disaster — not making it even 1 year over the winter.
Cameron
I used to work for a landscape architect who would put Moonbeams in almost all of his designs. If I had to pull perennials for one of his jobs, everytime I’d get to the Moonbeams I’d think, ‘the Moonbeam King is at it again!’
That’s strange. I haven’t managed to germinate my coreopsis! Good luck with yours growing into a profusely blooming monster!
This plant isn’t crazy about my garden at all…I can use the larger leaved ones, but even they are short lived. I thought it was clay soil! It is a cutie…you’re fortunate it loves your garden. gail
I don’t see why you can’t just dig up a few of these and move them around. I have found most coreopsis to be very easy to do whatever you want with. Yours look very healthy!!
I’ve never had any luck with Coreopsis either Dave. My Jethro Tull seems to be coming back strong this spring, cross your fingers. 🙂
It’s amazing how different plants do well in some gardener’s gardens and not so well in others. I’ve not had any trouble with coreopsis and it just seems to come up anywhere I plant seed! Our garden does have less clay than most which I suppose may be a factor. It definitely likes the sun!
I love this coreopsis. I dig divisions out all the time and they do great. I started with one 1 gallon pot and have turned it into many new clumps. I really like the airy foliage on this one.
I’m kind of snob in that I don’t like to grow plants with yellow flowers. I have a few exceptions but for the most part yellow is banned from my borders. Call me weird. I do grow C. ‘Rosea’ and it does beautifully. The newer hybrids don’t seem to be hardy although I think, mind you, think C. ‘Sweet Dreams’ may have successfully wintered over. I kept in a container in a sheltered area. We shall see.
Woo, I thought, Grace might faint at my front garden where the main players are purple, yellow, orange and chartreuse. Pink is relegated to the Upper Garden except in winter when the camellias bloom and of course azalea season.
Then I looked to see Grace is in the PNW. Gaudy colors are better in my bright, hot climate.
The puppy uprooted my Moonbeam divisions in pots. I’ve since put them in a more secure spot and they’re coming on.
I live in Louisville, ky and mine hasn’t started to come out of the dirt yet….is it just not time do you think? I love this plant. I had two but the other didn’t even make it through the summer last year.
Shawn Ann,
It should be peaking out some my now I would think. Mine has advanced quite a bit since this post was written. Nice and bushy. It is a really cool perennial.