Coreopsis grandiflora Sonnenkind

Coreopsis grandiflora 'Sonnenkind', is a variety of Tickseed. This selection is distinguished by its large, bright yellow daisies with red markings in the centre, which bloom throughout the summer, and its compact habit that makes it suitable for the front of borders and herbaceous borders. Elegant and easy to grow, even in containers, it only requires sun and light soil to thrive.

Coreopsis grandiflora belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to North America, from California to New Mexico (all states to the east) and the Great Lakes. 'Sonnenkind' is a cultivar with single heads, shorter and more compact than the type. This rhizomatous perennial plant forms a basal tuft, rounded like a basket, with a spread of 40 cm (16in) in all directions. The flowering period takes place from June to August. The solitary heads, 6 cm (2in) in diameter, are on slightly hairy stems. The foliage, a beautiful, intense green, is deciduous. The leaves, lanceolate, opposite, entire, sometimes incised at the base, almost sessile (without petiole), measure 10 cm (4in) in length. This perennial spreads quite rapidly through rhizomes.

The 'Sonnenkind' Tickseed dislikes winter humidity and heavy soils. To flower well, this plant requires full sun. It prefers light, moist, porous, gravelly or sandy soil, always well-drained, slightly acidic, neutral, or alkaline. Under such conditions, these plants flower and live for a long time. To encourage reblooming, it is preferable to remove faded flowers regularly and then in July to promote autumnal reblooming. This operation will also extend the life of the plant.

Coreopsis grandiflora is a versatile perennial. It will be happy in a rock garden or on a slope with wallflowers, love-in-a-mist, wild flax in an herbaceous border alongside Teucrium chamaedrys or x lucidrys, thyme, and cotton lavender. It is perfect for naturalising a meadow or a slightly wild area of the garden. This plant blooms continuously from the first year in a pot or container. For a beautiful summer display, both in the ground and in large pots, with very little water, it can be paired with Calamintha glandulosa and Nepeta 'Dawn to dusk'. It is also a lovely flower for summer bouquets, like a little sun in the house.