Coreopsis verticillata explained

Coreopsis verticillata is a North American species of tickseed in the sunflower family. It is found primarily in the east-central United States, from Maryland south to Georgia, with isolated populations as far west as Oklahoma and as far north as Québec and Ontario.^[1] The common names are whorled tickseed, whorled coreopsis, thread-leaved tickseed, thread leaf coreopsis, and pot-of-gold.

Description

Coreopsis verticillata is an herbaceous perennial that grows 2- tall and about 2feet wide, although as it spreads laterally by rhizomes,^[2] this width can be exceeded. The stems are wiry.^[3] The flower heads are up to 2inches across, and both the disc florets and ray florets are bright yellow. The flowers are produced abundantly in clusters from midsummer to fall.^[4]

Habitat

Coreopsis verticillata can commonly be found in dry, thin woods and open pinelands, preferring sites with full sun exposure. It can tolerate drought, poor soil, extreme heat, and neglect.^[3]

Horticultural cultivation

Coreopsis verticillata and its horticultural cultivars are not difficult to grow and hence make good starter plants for beginning gardeners in the U.S. They have a long flowering season and are relatively free from pests and diseases. They attract butterflies and are deer resistant.^[5] They can be grown in hanging baskets and containers (where irrigation will be necessary), or as border plants.^[6] Carolyn Singer, in "Deer in My Garden", reports that C. verticillata is a good companion plant with other summer-blooming perennials requiring similar conditions.^[7] The following notable cultivars have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit:

• 'Grandiflora' - taller than other cultivars, with slightly larger flowers^[8]
• 'Moonbeam' - pale, sulphur-yellow flowers, slightly shorter growth, chosen as the 1992 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association.^[3] When this cultivar was first introduced to the market, demand outstripped supply in some localities, such was its popularity.^{[9] [10]}
• 'Zagreb' - shorter than the species, bright yellow flowers^{[11] [12]}

Notes and References

1. http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Coreopsis%20verticillata.png Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
2. Web site: Coreopsis verticillata L. . 2010-02-20. Wildflower Center at The University Of Texas At Austin .
3. Web site: Coreopsis verticillata . 2010-02-20 . Christman . Steve . Floridata .
4. http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=250066435 Flora of North America, Coreopsis verticillata Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 2: 907. 1753.
5. Web site: Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' . 2010-02-20 . Perennial Resource . https://web.archive.org/web/20110715064026/http://www.perennialresource.com/plants/general-perennial/177_coreopsis-verticillata-moonbeam.aspx . 2011-07-15 . dead .
6. Web site: Coreopsis verticillata . 2010-02-20 . Magnolia Gardens Nursery . https://web.archive.org/web/20090528001258/http://www.magnoliagardensnursery.com/productdescrip/Coreopsis_Moon.html . 2009-05-28 . dead .
7. Book: Singer, Carolyn . Deer in My Garden: Vol. 1: Perennials & Subshrubs . Emerald Book . 2006 . 978-0-9774251-0-5 .
8. Web site: RHS Plant Selector Coreopsis verticillata 'Grandiflora' AGM / RHS Gardening . Apps.rhs.org.uk . 2013-06-06.
9. Web site: Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' . 2010-02-20 . Iannotti . Marie . About.com . 2013-01-17 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130117101735/http://gardening.about.com/od/plantprofile1/ig/Coreopsis--Tickseed-/Coreopsis--Moonbeam-.htm . dead .
10. Web site: RHS Plant Selector Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' / RHS Gardening . Apps.rhs.org.uk . 2013-06-06.
11. Web site: Coreopsis verticillata Zagreb . 2010-02-20 . North Creek Nurseries .
12. Web site: RHS Plant Selector Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' AGM / RHS Gardening . Apps.rhs.org.uk . 2013-06-06.