Coreopsis rosea Heavens Gate

Coreopsis rosea 'Heaven's Gate' is a recent cultivar. It is a beautiful bushy perennial covered in pink flowers, with a ruby red heart surrounded by a small yellow centre. Its flowering seems unstoppable, in summer and autumn, on finely divided bright green foliage. Its compact habit, clear silhouette, and love for the sun make it suitable for well-exposed slopes and slightly wild areas of the garden. It is remarkable in a container and an excellent cut flower.

Coreopsis rosea belongs to the Asteraceae family. It originates from the prairies of Central America and North America. 'Heaven's Gate' is a cultivar distinguished by the intense colour of its heads. This rhizomatous perennial, reaching 30 cm (12in) in height, and at least as much in width, has a compact and bushy habit. Flowering occurs in successive waves from late June until October. The 2 cm (1in) diameter flower heads are a vibrant pink, with a ruby heart surrounded by a small dark yellow centre. These flowers are carried at the end of long upright stems. The plant develops opposite, lanceolate, finely divided leaves of medium green colour. It slowly spreads through non-running rhizomes.

It is a full sun perennial that is not afraid of very dry and challenging conditions, making it perfect for flowering a rockery or a difficult slope with wallflowers, love-in-a-mist, and wild flax. In an herbaceous border with good drainage, plant it alongside Teucrium chamaedrys or x lucidrys, thyme, and cotton lavender. In a pot or container, this plant blooms continuously from the first year. For a beautiful summer display full of flowers that need very little water, combine it with Calamintha glandulosa and Nepeta 'Dawn to dusk'. Finally, it is a lovely flower for summer bouquets.