Perennial coreopsis: planting and care, photos in landscape design, varieties, how to propagate, flowering time

Planting and caring for perennial coreopsis will not be difficult. In nature, this bright flower often grows on infertile soils; it withstands drought and temperature changes well. Therefore, caring for perennial coreopsis comes down to only rare watering and periodic pruning of faded inflorescences. Anyone can cope with such a simple task.

Description and characteristics

Perennial coreopsis belongs to the Asteraceae family. This is a low-growing shrub that usually grows no more than 100 cm. The leaves are bright green, dissected, palmate in shape, or can be whole. They are located opposite (opposite each other).

Perennial coreopsis is a very unpretentious plant: in natural conditions it can be found even on depleted sandy soils, including abandoned wastelands and along roadsides. The root system allows you to receive maximum moisture. Therefore, perennial coreopsis feels good even in dry periods.

Coreopsis produces low, fairly compact bushes

Coreopsis flowering time

Coreopsis blooms throughout the summer - i.e. from June to September inclusive. In some species, flowers may appear even in October, until the onset of the first frost. To maintain lush flowering, it is recommended to regularly remove faded parts.

The petals of perennial coreopsis are painted in different colors:

yellow;
orange;
brown;
pink;
marble.

There are both single-color and two-color inflorescences (for example, yellow and chocolate shades). Flowers can be either simple or double (lush, with several rows of petals).

The bright two-color petals of coreopsis are clearly visible even in remote corners of the garden.

Important! The duration of flowering also depends on the specific variety of perennial coreopsis. Therefore, it is worth paying attention to this indicator when purchasing seeds.

Varieties of perennial coreopsis

There are more than 100 species in the perennial coreopsis genus, and only 10% of them are actively used in culture. The most common ones are described below.

Grandiflora

This species of perennial coreopsis is found in North America. It is classified as tall - highly branched shoots reach a height of 100 cm. The leaves are narrow, longitudinal, dissected (basal leaves are simple), rich green in color.

The species got its name due to its very large flowers, which grow up to 7-8 cm in diameter.

There are several varieties:

Calypso (Calypso) - a variegated representative with yellow petals with a red core;
Baden Gold (Baden Gold) - one of the tall varieties;
Sunburst (Sunburst) – tall crop with sunny colors;
Sunray (Sunray) – medium-sized bush with double lemon inflorescences;
Sundancer (Sundancer) – a dwarf subspecies with a height of 20-30 cm.

Important! All varieties of this perennial coreopsis require regular replanting every 3 years.

Lanceolate

Lanceolata is another American species of coreopsis. The bush is medium-sized, the shoots branch well, reaching a height of 50-60 cm. The leaves are of a simple type, the flowers are up to 6 cm in diameter, yellow in color. It blooms mainly in the second half of summer, for 8 weeks in a row.

Popular varieties of this species:

Golden Queen (Golden Queen) – perennial 50-60 cm high, basket diameter – 6 cm;
Robin (Rotkehlchen) – grows up to 45 cm in length, inflorescence diameter – 5 cm;
Goldfin (Goldfink) – low-growing (20-30 cm) perennial coreopsis.

Whorled

The whorled species (verticillata) produces powerful, tall bushes up to 100 cm high. The leaves are very narrow, so they resemble dark green needles. The flowers are small, 2-3 cm in diameter, but numerous. In addition, they attract attention with their bright yellow color, which looks especially attractive against the background of foliage. The flowers of this perennial coreopsis resemble stars.

It begins to bloom in mid-July, inflorescences appear for more than two months. Grows without replanting to a new location for up to 5-6 years. The most common varieties are:

Zagreb (Zagreb) - low-growing (20-30 cm), golden flowers.
Moonbeam (Moonbeam) - also low-growing, with cream or light yellow flowers.
Mercury Rising (Mercury Rising) is a beautiful variety of perennial coreopsis with cherry petals and a yellow core.
Golden Shower (Golden Rain) is a medium-sized bush (height 60-70 cm) with golden flowers.

Pink (rosea)

One of the most interesting types of perennial coreopsis: bush up to 30-40 cm, two-color petals (pale pink with a red core).

Pink coreopsis blooms all summer, even extending into September

Popular varieties:

Sweet Dreams (Sweet dreams) - crimson petals, with a white border and a yellow core.
Heaven's Gate (Heaven's Gate) - low-growing (20-40 cm), flowers of rich pink and purple shades.

Auricular (auriculata)

This is a low-growing species of perennial coreopsis, the branches grow up to 20-30 cm. The flowers are lemon yellow.

Eared coreopsis attracts attention with its pleasant color and graceful shape.

Gardeners prefer the following varieties of this perennial crop:

Nana (Nana) is a small, dense bush with oval leaves. It begins to bloom in spring, the inflorescences are yellow and orange. Repeated flowering may begin in autumn.
Zamphir (Zamfir) is a small bush with golden-orange flowers.

Reproduction of coreopsis

Growing perennial coreopsis is quite simple. It can be grown from seeds, cuttings, or new plants can be obtained by dividing the mother bush.

Dividing the bush

This is the easiest way. You can divide adult bushes that are at least 3-4 years old. The procedure begins in early spring, when the snow has already melted, but the active growth phase has not yet begun. Sequencing:

The soil around the bush is loosened.
Then they cut along the perimeter so that they can be dug out along with the earthen lump.
Remove carefully, trying not to damage the roots.
Take a sharp knife and cut several sections so that each of them has 2-3 buds.
They are planted in a permanent place and then cared for in the same way as an adult seedling.

Cuttings

Perennial coreopsis can also be propagated by cuttings. To do this, at the beginning of summer you need to get several green petioles. The sequence of actions is simple:

Select several healthy shoots.
Cut off the lower part under the leaves (8-10 cm below the internode).
Place in a pot with regular soil (garden soil) - 2-3 petioles per container.
Moisturize and grow directly outside in partial shade from a bush, tree or building.
Water regularly, and after 1.5-2 months they are planted in a permanent place.

Growing coreopsis from seeds

The time for planting perennial coreopsis seeds for seedlings is March or early April. You can use any soil - universal for flower seedlings or your own mixture of garden soil, humus, compost (2:1:1) with the addition of a few pinches of coarse sand. Initially, the seeds of perennial coreopsis are planted in general containers (containers, boxes), then they are planted in cups.

The sequence of actions is standard:

The soil and containers are disinfected in a 1-2% solution of potassium permanganate or a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide.
A small (3-4 cm) layer of small stones is placed at the bottom. If necessary, make several drainage holes.
Plant the seeds at a distance of 5 cm from each other, without deepening (it is enough to sprinkle a little earth with the addition of sand).
Spray with water.
Cover with a lid and place on the windowsill (temperature should be room temperature).
They dive after three true leaves appear.
A week after this, liquid complex fertilizer is applied.
2-3 weeks before transplanting perennial coreopsis seedlings into the ground, they are periodically taken out onto the balcony or outside (temperature 15-16 °C).

Planting and caring for coreopsis flowers

Caring for perennial coreopsis in the garden is quite simple. This is one of the most unpretentious plants, requiring only timely watering and pruning.

Timing of sowing and planting in open ground

You need to prepare for planting seeds at the end of February. The specific period depends on the region:

in the middle zone they begin to grow seedlings of perennial coreopsis in mid-March;
in the southern regions - in early spring;
in the Urals, Siberia and the Far East - at the end of the month or in the first ten days of April.

Perennial coreopsis seedlings are transferred to the flowerbed in mid-May (if the spring turned out to be cool, towards the end of the month).

Important! Coreopsis is a winter-hardy and cold-resistant crop. But it is better to plant seedlings in already warmed soil. In the future, the plant will quickly take root and, with proper care, will be able to withstand even a frosty winter.

Sowing seeds and caring for seedlings

Coreopsis can be propagated by seeds in two ways:

Seedless – the seeds are planted in open ground in May or June, moistened, covered with film, and in July-August they are planted in a permanent place.
Rassadny – the traditional method described above. Caring for seedlings is quite simple - they can be obtained under normal indoor conditions.

If you grow bushes using the first method, they will produce flowers only the next season, and if you get seedlings, flowering will begin the same year.

Preparing the site and soil

The place for planting perennial coreopsis is chosen depending on the composition, as well as several practical points:

the area should be illuminated - even weak partial shade is undesirable;
Uplands are preferred - water accumulates in the lowlands;
if the variety is tall, it is important to provide protection from strong winds.

The area is pre-cleared and dug up. If the soil is fertile, there is no need to fertilize it additionally. If the soil is depleted, it is necessary to apply 50-60 g of complex mineral fertilizer per square meter. It is not necessary to do this - fertilizing can also be placed in the holes during planting.

Attention! Perennial coreopsis prefers light soil.

If the soil is heavy and clayey, then when digging you need to add coarse sand - 200-300 g per 1 m².

Before planting, the area must be cleared and dug up using half a shovel.

Planting coreopsis in open ground

Sequence of actions when planting in a flowerbed:

Several holes are formed. The depth is determined by the size of the rhizome, and the distance - depending on the variety: for short-growing ones, an interval of 15-20 cm is left, for tall ones - 30 cm.
A drainage layer (pebbles, broken bricks, other small stones) is placed at the bottom of the hole.
If the soil is infertile, prepare a mixture of garden soil with peat (in equal quantities), superphosphate and potassium salt (a pinch for each hole).
The seedlings are rooted and the soil is lightly compacted.
Water generously and mulch with straw, sawdust, hay or other available materials.

Aftercare

In the future, caring for coreopsis comes down to a few simple rules:

It needs to be watered regularly, preventing the soil from completely drying out and cracking.The volume of water should not be too large, and during the rainy season there is no need to give excess liquid at all.
If fertilizers have already been applied to the planting hole, it is not necessary to feed perennial coreopsis in the first season. And starting next year, you can give complex mineral fertilizer in the spring, during flowering and after it ends (but not later than August).
Withered inflorescences are immediately cut off. Thanks to this, new flowers will appear, which will also have time to decorate the garden.
The soil is periodically loosened, especially 1-2 days after watering or fertilizing.
If the coreopsis is tall and winds often blow in the area, it is advisable to place a wooden peg and tie the plant to it.
For the winter, they carry out total pruning at the root (leaving 4-5 cm of stumps) and cover with a layer of mulch - spruce branches, dry leaves, hay. In the south it is not necessary to do this - there coreopsis will be able to survive the winter without shelter.

Attention! To help the soil retain moisture longer, you can also lay out a layer of mulch in the spring.

When can coreopsis be replanted?

Coreopsis grows in the same place in the garden for a long time. But since the crop is perennial, the bush begins to thicken and age. Therefore, it needs to be replanted at least once every 4-5 years, i.e. divide into several parts.

To do this, in early spring the bush is dug up and several divisions with two healthy buds are obtained. Then they are transplanted to a new place, leaving an interval of 15-30 cm (depending on the characteristics of the variety).

It is advisable to replant adult perennial coreopsis bushes at least once every 4-5 years.

Diseases and pests

Different species and varieties of perennial coreopsis have fairly good immunity, so they do not suffer from diseases so often.But sometimes plants can be affected by various infections:

rust;
fusarium;
leaf spot;
tobacco mosaic.

Therefore, in the spring (in April or May), it is recommended to treat the bushes with any fungicide:

"Tattu";
"Ordan";
"Fitosporin";
"Profit";
"Topaz";
Bordeaux mixture.

In summer, aphids and some beetles can parasitize the leaves of perennial coreopsis. They are removed manually or washed off with water. Then a solution of any insecticide should be sprayed over the plants:

"Aktara";
"Spark";
"Decis";
"Confidor";
"Fufanon."

You can also use folk remedies - a decoction of tomato tops, an infusion of wood ash, tobacco dust, garlic, onion peels, chili peppers and other recipes.

Attention! Perennial coreopsis seedlings are treated with fungicides 5-10 days before transplanting to the flowerbed.

Coreopsis in landscape design

Thanks to its elegant and very bright flowers, coreopsis literally brings the garden to life. The plant is unpretentious, so it can be planted anywhere - either in the very center of the flower garden or along the perimeter to create a pleasant background and organize the space.

The photo shows several interesting options for using perennial coreopsis to decorate the garden:

Along the road.
On rocky hills.
Single landing next to the road.
In a composition with other colors (preferably with blue, lilac shades).
Near the fence, in pots.

Perennial coreopsis can be planted around the perimeter of the lawn, used in mixborders, multi-tiered flower beds, rock gardens and other compositions.

Conclusion

Planting and caring for perennial Coreopsis is really simple. The bushes take root well in both light and heavy soils and do not require special attention.In the future, the crop will spread throughout the area very quickly, since self-seeding is possible. Therefore, it is better to cut off the inflorescences immediately after wilting, in order to prevent the formation of fruits (dry boxes).