COREOPSIS
Family COMPOSITAE
Coreopsis species
Perennial
Natives of North America and one of the most
popular perennials, especially for cutting.
Coreopsis grandiflora has lance-shaped leaves and slender
branching stems two to three feet high, bearing
flowers two and a half inches across, broadly
winged, and bright yellow in colour. Perry’s
variety is a double form.
Coreopsis pubescens superba has an arresting crimson
central blotch to each flower.
Coreopsis lanceolata resembles a dwarf form of Coreopsis grandiflora.
Coreopsis verticillata has fine feathery foliage surmounted
by small yellow flowers.
There is an improved form with larger flowers
known as Coreopsis v. grandiflora; the height does not
exceed a foot. Coreopsis rosea, a foot high, bears pale
rose flowers.
The Coreopsis is seen to best advantage towards
the front of herbaceous borders near to purple
or dark blue perennials of similar height.
Plant in spring in well-drained rich soil and
allow to become established. Of the easiest culture.
Propagation is by division or seed.
The flowering season is in late July and August.
Coreopsis Lanceolata – Tickseed.
Hardy Perennial
3 feet.
Flowers yellow, July to September.
There has been a good deal of confusion between
the annual and perennial varieties of this family;
but now there seems to be a general agreement
to call the annuals Calliopsis
and leave the title Coreopsis to the perennials.
Coreopsis lanceolata is an excellent plant for
herbaceous or mixed borders; if helped with an
inconspicuous stick and string it forms a fine
sheaf of bright green foliage, topped with single
flowers as large as a penny, with a fringed edge,
and a rich clear yellow in colour. There are improved
kinds, with larger flowers, such as Coreopsis
grandiflora, and Coreopsis lanceolata superba;
but sometimes these actually flower themselves
to death. Plant clumps or pieces of root in February
or March in good soil. The plants may remain in
one position for four or five years. They have
a way of drooping their leaves in hot weather
which suggests to the beginner something fatally
wrong with the root, but they recover promptly
at sundown, and if they are given water in really
droughty times, will flower none the worse for
their apparent ailment.
See also: tickseed
Calliopsis
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