Moonbeam Coreopsis

"Moonbeam" is perhaps the most popular member of the threadleaf coreopsis family.  It's a light, pastel yellow flower about 1" - 2" across.  The flowers are prolific from April through the summer in Louisiana.  The leaves are fern-like and the plant habit is short and mounding.  It's a perfect border plant for a hot, dry area of your yard - maybe that area where your hose won't reach.  It does best on neglect and poor soil.  Not only this, but the plant will come back year after year and will slowly spread.  It should be divided every three years or so.  It's a favorite nectar source for butterflies and bees.  This is my first year to try one and I'm sold on their value.  There are other varieties, one of which is the deeper yellow "Zagreb,"  which are worthy of a try too.  The color of "Moonbeam" mixes well with other perennials and makes a wonderful companion plant.  I have mine planted in the "dry" butterfly garden surrounding a chaste vitex tree.  It's in with gaillardias, crocosmias, Ragin' Cajun ruellias, and cosmos.

Early Sunrise

I planted some Early Sunrise coreopsis seeds last year since I'm wanting to get more perennials going.  These were planted in an old wheelbarrow that hardly ever got watered.  They did not get much attention at all and never even got large enough to flower.  Early this spring, I transplanted them to a good spot in my butterfly garden where they get better care.  They have really taken off and have begun to bloom with these bright, long-stemmed pom-poms.  Coreopsis are a nice perennial and they last quite a while as a cut flower.  This variety does not get very tall (about 20") and forms a nice mound.  They are supposed to slowly spread and need dividing about every three years.  Here's a picture of one of the plants:

Coreopsis are renowned for taking heat and drought well.  They bloom for a long time, especially if deadheaded.  You can also cut them back occasionally to keep them bushy and florific.  Here's a picture of a bloom up-close.  They rather look like marigolds, but don't have the smell.  Aren't they cheerful looking?