Coreopsis, also called "maiden's eye", light up garden with their sunny flowers from early summer until frost. Growing Coreopsis is simple and rewarding. They suit flower beds, borders, meadows or container culture. Hardy, easy to succeed and very melliferous, they attract butterflies and bees. Coreopsis sowing is within reach of everyone and quickly produces a colourful bed or cheerful bouquets. Here are our step-by-step tips to succeed with sowing and enjoy generous flowering!
When to sow Coreopsis?
Coreopsis sowing can be carried out in two ways. Under cover, between February and April, it produces young plants already vigorous when planted out. In open ground, sow from April to June, once risk of frost has passed. To obtain continuous display, stagger sowings every two to three weeks.
How to sow Coreopsis?
Required equipment
- Sowing compost or a good universal compost
- Seed tray or seeding flats
- Compost scoop for mixing substrate
- Spray bottle or watering can with a fine rose
- Replanting buckets
To succeed in planting Coreopsis from seeds, it is important to prepare soil correctly and follow a few simple steps.
- Prepare soil: Coreopsis prefer light, well-drained and moderately fertile soil. Loosen soil to 15 cm depth and remove stones and unwanted herbs. In heavy soil, add some sand to improve drainage.
- Sowing in open ground: Sow seeds broadcast or in rows spaced 25–30 cm apart. Cover with a very fine layer of soil (1–2 mm only), as they need light to germinate well. Water with a watering can fitted with a fine rose so as not to dislodge seeds.
- Sowing in buckets or trays: Fill containers with a seed compost. Place two to three seeds per bucket, then cover lightly. Moisten by misting. Buckets should be placed in a bright spot at a mild temperature (18–20 °C).
- Germination and pricking out: Germination usually occurs between 7 and 21 days. When young plants reach 5–7 cm, thin out, keeping only the most vigorous young plant per spot or per bucket. If sowing is in buckets, transplant to open ground when risk of frost has passed.
Care after sowing Coreopsis
From germination, maintenance of Coreopsis remains minimal but regular. Ensure young plants have sufficient space to develop. Coreopsis appreciate moderate watering: too much water makes stems fragile and encourages disease. Once young plants are well rooted, reduce watering, as they tolerate drought very well.
An application of well-rotted compost at planting or at start of flowering will support vigour of plants.
To prolong flowering period, remove spent flowers regularly, which will encourage formation of new flower spikes until first frosts.
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