How to plant Coreopsis

When given a sunny spot in moist soil, you’ll find that hardy perennial Coreopsis (Tickseed) flowers freely from late spring to late summer. Their radiant daisy blooms are produced in succession so it’s worth deadheading them as they fade to encourage more flowers to develop. The cheerful disc-shaped flowers create dazzling landing pads for passing bees and butterflies making these an obvious choice for wildlife gardens and the front of sunny borders. Hardy and resilient, these glowing beauties are ideal for adding a splash of colour to patio containers and borders, or for adding to a prairie planting scheme with swaying ornamental grasses.

How to plant

  • Plant Coreopsis in spring between February and May, ideally within a week of delivery.
  • Soak the roots in water for 3-6 hours prior to planting. Pot into temporary 2 litre (or 15-20cm diameter) pots, using a good quality multi-purpose compost. Plant with the roots fully submerged in the compost and with the crown/buds just level with the soil surface. Any emerging shoots or leaves should be left exposed above the soil surface.
  • Grow them on in a sheltered spot outside. They can be transplanted to suitable growing positions in borders or containers after 2-4 months, or once growth is established and the plant easily comes out of the pot with the soil held toether by the roots.
  • When transferring into their final growing positions, choose a spot in full sun or light shade where they will receive a good amount of sun for a large part of the day.
  • Coreopsis prefers a moist, fertile and well drained soil that remains moist in summer. In drier locations it will need additional watering during hot weather.
  • This perennial is fully hardy and does not require winter protection.
  • Water-in after planting and keep hydrated when in growth, particularly during the first year.

Aftercare

  • Coreopsis will start to produce leaves in spring. Flowers appear in summer, the number of flowers will increase as the clump grows over the years.
  • Deadhead the faded flowers of Coreopsis to encourage more blooms to develop.
    As the first flush of flowers ends around July, shear the stems back to just above the lower leaf growth to promote fresh growth and another flush of late summer blooms.
  • The stems will naturally die back in autumn and can then be cut back to around 3cm above ground level.
  • Coreopsis forms a generous clump over time. Overcrowded clumps can be lifted and divided in early spring or late autumn.