Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' adds bright yellow flowers to your garden

Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' is one famous little deciduous perennial. We have enjoyed it for years in our garden with its daisy-like flowers that bloom from May or June all the way through July.

If you cut them back in early to mid August, they will give you another flush of blooms (although not as profuse.)

What's not to love? Being deer-resistant, not needing trimming or deadheading, and being drought tolerant made it the Perennial Plant Association's 'Plant of the Year' in 1992.

It's also why it remains one of the top-ten best selling perennial plants for anyone living in zones 3 to 9.

There are many different types of coreopsis besides the 'Moonbeam' such as the 'Zagreeb' cultivar. Both are of the threadleaf variety.

Threadleaf coreopsis is a well-liked, though full-sun perennial.

Some of the other varieties need a bit more attention in the way of deadheading (removing the spent flowers) in order to keep them blooming throughout the summer.

Growing Coreopsis

• Light: Full sun for at least 6 hours.
• Water: Once a week after established. Blooms are reduced with too much water.
• Soil: Very well-drained soil that has been enriched with organic matter. May do well in heavy clay soil if it's not too compacted.
• Hardiness: Zones 3 to 9.
• Propagation: From root or division.
• Pest: Rare, but can develop fungus problems if overwatered.

Planting and Maintaining

• When to Plant: We recommend fall or early spring so that the roots may become established with the cooler, wetter weather.
• Trimming: Not much is needed here. If they get leggy or have too many dead blooms on them, you may cut back to about 8 to 10 inches for another flush of blooms.
• Fertilization: Medium. Fertilize when planted and each spring with a slow-release fertilizer.
• Division: It is recommended to divide every 2 to 5 years. We have had ours longer than that and have found no need to divide them. If you do divide it, take the edges that are the healthiest. You may need to discard the center.

Mixing them with dark foliage plants such as Purple heart, Persian shield, and ornamental cabbage is also a great way to showcase this plant.

Visit your local garden center and ask them for suggestions too. Experiment with this great plant for endless combinations.

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