Coreopsis verticilliata Red Satin

The 'Red Satin' Coreopsis is probably one of the most interesting hybrids in recent years. Its abundant flowering in June, with true red star-shaped flowers, a color rarely seen in coreopsis, is well highlighted by its bushy and relatively compact growth. The flowers continue to bloom, although less numerous, until October, adorning a fine foliage of beautiful deep green. Once well established, this sturdy perennial will withstand difficult conditions, and even some drought. A reliable and richly colored variety, perfect for enhancing borders, rock gardens, or generous flower pots. It is also an excellent cut flower.

The hybrid Coreopsis 'Red Satin' belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is a recent variety, belonging to the excellent 'Big Bang' series developed in the United States by Darrell Probst. The plants in this series are mainly derived from the botanical species Coreopsis verticillata and C. rosea, both native to the Americas (North and Central).

'Red Satin' was selected for its robustness, disease resistance, floribundity, and the very red color of its flowers. This rhizomatous herbaceous perennial with woody roots has a slightly spreading tufted habit formed by numerous upright stems. It quickly reaches 40 cm (16in) in all directions. The flowering begins as early as the end of May, reaches its peak in June-July, and continues, more sporadically, until autumn. The flowers are actually inflorescences called heads, composed of a crown of peripheral flowers called ligules, of intense red color, surrounding a central disc of fertile florets in amber yellow. They measure 3 cm (1in) in diameter and open from solitary globose buds carried on slightly hairy peduncles along slender stems. They attract many butterflies and bees. The foliage, dark green and semi-evergreen, consists of very thin and linear leaves, equipped with two spurs at the base, slightly hairy. This perennial slowly spreads by means of an interlacing of thin rhizomes, not invasive.

The 'Red Satin' Coreopsis is a carefree perennial with multiple uses. It will thrive in a rock garden, on a slope with wallflowers, love-in-a-mist, and wild flax, in an herbaceous border alongside Teucrium chamaedrys, cotton lavenders, and thistles like Eryngium. Its finely cut and airy foliage will blend well with plants with stiffer foliage, such as daylilies, echinaceas, red hot pokers, or irises. This 'Red Satin' variety will be the ideal companion for perennial plants, ornamental grasses, and ground-cover roses. It can be associated with shrubby salvias, panicle phlox, gauras, asters, knautias, campanulas, salvias, scabiouses, mountain centauries, yarrows, the superb Leucanthemum 'Crazy Daisy', or the Penstemon 'Le Phare', the choice is endless and depends on the tastes of each gardener. In pots or containers, this plant blooms generously, from the first year. 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.