The illustrated growing guide
Coreopsis
Coreopsis verticillata
Family Asteraceae
Est. zones 3-9
Threadleaf coreopsis is the no-input perennial: poor soil, drought, neglect — still a golden haze for three months. Wet feet in winter is the only assassin.
Full Sun
Low water
Moderate growth
Native to North America
Attracts bees
From the print shop
The closest print we make
We don’t print Coreopsis verticillata. The closest we have is Coreopsis lanceolata (“Coreopsis”) in the Wildflowers Vol. 3 collection — the same genus, Coreopsis, not the same species.
16 designsfrom $21.99white or black groundmatte poster, unframed
I
Overview
Will coreopsis suit your garden, and what goes wrong.
Will it thrive where you are?
Enter your ZIP — we look up your USDA hardiness zone (2023 map) and check it against what coreopsis actually needs.
Hardy inZones 3-9Coreopsis at a glance
Common coreopsis problems
- Almost none
- Crown Rot in wet clay
II
Growing
Light, water, soil, propagation and the season’s jobs.
How to grow coreopsis: light, water & soil
How to plant & propagate coreopsis
III
The year
What coreopsis asks for, month by month.
The coreopsis year, month by month
BloomPruneWhat each band means
- Bloom — flowers open — pollinators working, frost on blossoms is the danger.
- Prune — shape it now — cuts heal cleanly and structure is visible.
The coreopsis year as text
- Jan quiet month
- Feb quiet month
- Mar pruning
- Apr pruning
- May pruning
- Jun bloom
- Jul bloom
- Aug bloom
- Sep bloom
- Oct quiet month
- Nov quiet month
- Dec quiet month
These are the species' typical months — expect them a few weeks earlier in warm zones and later in cold ones. Watch the plant, not just the calendar.
IV
Ecology & uses
What it does for the garden, and what it is grown for.
Coreopsis in the garden system
- Herbaceous layer perennial
- Nectary/insectary
What coreopsis is grown for
✓ Not known to be toxic
Edibility, identification, and traditional-use notes here are general reference — not medical or veterinary advice, and not a claim that any plant treats or prevents anything. Medicinal ratings record how strongly a plant features in herbal tradition, nothing more. Never eat or dose a plant you have not positively identified. More on how to use this library.
V
Cultivars
Named varieties of coreopsis, ruled as a catalogue.
Best coreopsis varieties & cultivars
'Moonbeam' (soft yellow legend); 'Zagreb' (golden, tougher); 'UpTick' series
VI
Sources & plant ID
Where the care distinctions come from, and how the plant is filed.
Research basis
Sources behind this profile
No extension citations are attached to coreopsisyet. The care figures below come from the library's own catalogue rather than a traced primary source.
Plant ID
VII
Where to buy
Third-party nurseries — not Story Thyme Farms.
Third-party nurseries, not Story Thyme Farms. Prices are theirs.
Story Thyme Farms may earn a small commission from these links, at no cost to you — it never changes what we recommend.
VIII
Questions
Coreopsis questions, answered straight.
Is coreopsis safe for kids and pets?
Coreopsis is commonly eaten and isn't considered toxic, but "commonly eaten" isn't a guarantee for any particular person or animal — allergies, quantity, and which part you eat all matter. Never eat a plant you haven't positively identified, and check with a vet before letting pets or livestock graze anything new.
How do you propagate coreopsis?
Division or seed.
IX
Elsewhere
Where coreopsis sits in the library.
Sunflower
Zinnia
Peony
Daylily