Coreopsis, Plains – Coreopsis tinctoria

Description

This native annual will provide sunny yellow flowers with mahogany centers, or mahogany-red flowers with yellow centers and are beautiful in cut flower arrangements.  Coreopsis are distinctive flowers traditionally used for dyes and will produce seed the first year and self-sow for many years.  Numerous flowers form on long branched stems with finely cut foliage.  The seed is extremely reliable and will quickly sprout in 1-2 weeks.  Use this species to blend with grass and wildflowers to create a beautiful meadow.  Plains Coreopsis looks great in large plantings.  It performs well in wet years and is drought tolerant and a great nectar source for bees and butterflies.

Color: Red and Yellow
Height: 12-18
Type: Annual
Climate: Light Sun to part shade, Easily grown in dry to moderately moist soils.  Prefers sandy to rocky soils.
Seeds/lb.: 1,170,000
Rate:  1 oz./160 sq. ft.
Zone: 2-11
Germination time:  1-2 weeks
Bloom time:  Continuously through late spring and summer
Packet wt.:  1 gm.  (approx. 2,500 seeds)

Seeding: Seeds can be started indoors 6-8 weeks prior to the last frost date and transplanted outside after all chances of frost have passed. Or, plant seeds directly outdoors after the last chance of frost.  The seeds germinate quickly in only 1-2 weeks. Light aids in germination. Gently tamp seeds into the soil without deeply covering them.