Coreopsis verticillata Moonbeam

Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam', also known as Whorled Coreopsis 'Moonbeam', deserves a place in every garden. It combines an exceptionally long flowering period, with sulphur-yellow star-shaped flowers, from early summer to autumn, with a dark and contrasting foliage of very thin leaves. Its compact habit, well-defined silhouette, undemanding nature, and love for the sun make it suitable for sunny slopes and challenging conditions. It is also a remarkable perennial for containers and an excellent cut flower.

Coreopsis verticillata belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to the plains of Central America, Mexico, and the southeastern United States. 'Moonbeam' is a cultivar selected for the pale color of its heads. This herbaceous perennial with a woody rhizomatous rootstock has a spreading tufted habit, highly branched and compact. It reaches a height of 50 cm (20in) with a spread of 40 cm (16in). The flowering begins in June and continues until the first frost. The pale yellow heads, measuring 3.5 cm (1in) in diameter, bloom from globose buds and are arranged in whorls of 3 along the thin stems. The dark green deciduous foliage is composed of 6 cm (2in) long leaves, finely divided into linear leaflets. The plant slowly spreads through a network of thin rhizomes that do not run.

Perennial Coreopsis species are sensitive to winter humidity and heavy soils. These plants require full sun, even intense sun, to flower well. They prefer a light, porous, gravelly, or sandy soil that is always well-drained, slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline, even if it is poor. They will also adapt well to a humus-bearing and moist soil, provided that the drainage is perfect. Under such conditions, they flower and live for a long time. To encourage reblooming, it is advisable to remove faded flowers, especially at the end of August.

Coreopsis verticillata is a perennial with multiple uses. It will thrive in a rock garden, on a difficult slope with wallflowers, love-in-a-mist, and wild flax, or in a herbaceous border with Teucrium chamaedrys or x lucidrys, thyme, and cotton lavenders. In a pot or container, this plant blooms continuously from the first year. For a beautiful summer display, both in the ground and in large pots, with minimal watering, 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.