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Fall in Love With These Gorgeous Coreopsis Varieties

The West’s go-to summer flower stuns in vivid tropical pinks, pumpkin orange, and gold

Sharon Cohoon and Heather Arndt Anderson

With its willowy stems and sunshiny blooms, tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata) is a common sight in Western gardens. We love them in borders and wild meadow gardens for a touch of natural beauty. These days, there are more varieties than ever—and not just yellow and red ones. Here are some of the prettiest Coreopsis varieties we’ve ever seen, waiting to join your garden.

1 /13 Photo by Schnuddel / Getty Images

Classic Coreopsis

Coreopsis grandiflora won't quit, despite heat or lack of water. Just plant and enjoy. And now there's a Coreopsis to go with every color scheme, from pumpkin orange and vivid pink, some with chartreuse foliage. Oregon grower Terra Nova Nurseries has 23 different Coreopsis varieties in production. Click ahead for our favorites.
2 /13 Photo by Flickr user Stefano

Coreopsis 'Ruby Mist'

Another outstanding specimen, and one of the more unusual Coreopsis varieties. 'Ruby Mist' has striking red and white rays, and grows to more than 2 feet tall. This perennial can overwinter in milder climates, or treat as an annual in colder climates.
3 /13 Photo courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries

Coreopsis 'Rum Punch'

This lovely variety grows in a compact (12 in. by 18 in.) mound covered with watermelon-pink flowers. It can overwinter in mild climates, but in cold climates, treat it as an annual and replant in spring. Pair this one with a soft yellow such as Coreopsis 'Moonlight', Agastache 'Summer Glow' , or 'Lemonade' Lantana. Or try with a solid lime-green Coleus.
4 /13 Photo courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries

Coreopsis 'Pumpkin Pie'

This ground-hugging variety (5 in. by 20 in.) has flowers the color of golden pumpkins. This is another annual variety; it can overwinter in mild climates, but replant in spring in cooler areas. Pair with red-orange Echinacea such as 'Tomato Soup' or 'Hot Lava' to add to the heat. Or cool down with blue asters or true geraniums.
5 /13 Photo courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries

Coreopsis 'Mango Punch'

Coreopsis 'Mango Punch' is another tried and true favorite perennial flower for Western gardens. This scrumptious coreopsis grows in a compact mound (12 in. x 18 in.) dripping with flowers that look like a mango-flavored tequila sunrise. This coreopsis can overwinter in mild climates as a perennial, but in cold climates, you'll want to replant in spring. For a striking contrast, pair with lavender or blue flowers such as Salvia 'May Night' or 'East Friesland' or a small Agastache such as 'Summer Sky' or licorice mint (A. rupestris).
6 /13 Photo courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries

Coreopsis 'Cranberry Ice'

We think this is one of the most interesting Coreopsis varieties; it blooms dark pink with a delicate fringe of white. This sturdy variety grows as a perennial — it overwinters in climates without hard frosts (0 to -10 degrees). Hot pink Coreopsis looks good with sweet alyssum and Euphorbia 'Diamond Frost', or chartreuse 'Margarita' sweet potato vine.
7 /13 Photo courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries

Coreopsis: Pineapple Pie

This Coreopsis variety grows in a (5 in. x 20 in.) mound covered with golden flowers with showy dark-red eyes. It can overwinter in mild climates, or treat asa an annual in cold climates. Pair with wine-leafed, yellow-flowered Oxalis 'Zinfandel' or a small dark-leafed Coleus such as 'Cherry Cordial'. If you have room, add a taller brighter Coleus such as 'Pineapple Splash', which has yellow leaves and crimson veins, or 'Splish Splash’, which has burgundy leaves and yellow blotches.
8 /13 Photo courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries

Coreopsis 'Little Penny'

One of the most adorable Coreopsis varieties we've ever seen, 'Little Penny' is a low (8 in. by 16 in.) mounding plant covered with tons of small, copper-colored flowers. This is another annual variety; it can overwinter in milder climates. Pair with a pale yellow-flowered Coreopsis such as 'Moonlight' or 'Moonbeam' and a brown carex such as 'Toffee Twist.'
9 /13 Photo courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries

Coreopsis 'Garnet'

'Garnet' forms a low-growing mound (10 in. by 20 in.) with pretty garnet-colored flowers. This perennial variety can overwinters in climates without hard frost (0 to -10 degrees). 'Garnet' would be a great front row plant in an all pink border. Picture it backed by pink coneflowers (Echinacea), Sedum 'Autumn Joy', and Agastache 'Raspberry Summer', for instance. But this dark cherry pink shade would work in just about any color scheme.
10 /13 Photo courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries

Coreopsis 'Citrine'

This cute and very low ground cover (5 in. by 20 in.) is blanketed in bright clear yellow flowers. This perennial can overwinter in climates without hard frost (0 to -10 degrees). Use 'Citrine' as an edger in any border with a warm color scheme. Or, if growing as an annual, make it the first row in an all-coreopsis scheme, backed by 'Rum Punch' and 'Autumn Blush'.
11 /13 Photo courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries

Coreopsis 'Strawberry Punch'

'Strawberry Punch' forms a compact mound (9 in. x 14 in.) covered with dark rosy-pink flowers. This variety can overwinter in mild climates, but treat as an annual in cold climates. To make the most of that bright pink, pair with clear white flowers. Classic white sweet alyssum, 'Diamond Frost' Euphorbia, and white Verbena, for instance. Or a dwarf white coneflower (Echinacea) such as 'Little Angel.'
12 /13 Photo courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries

Coreopsis 'Pink Lemonade'

This darling variety forms a compact mound (8 in. x 14 in.) of chartreuse foliage and hot pink flowers. This variety can overwinter in mild climates, but treat as an annual in cold climates. For a strong contrast, pair with a dark blue Lobelia such as 'Crystal Palace.' For a softer look, combine with a trailing soft pink, such as 'Rosie O'Day' sweet alyssum.
13 /13 Photo courtesy of Terra Nova Nurseries

Coreopsis 'Tropical Lemonade'

This variety gets its name from its yellow leaves; it  forms a compact mound (8 in. x 14 in.) of bright gold foliage topped with red-orange flowers. This variety can overwinter in mild climates, but treat as an annual in cold climates. Pair with lavender-blue ground morning glory (Convolvulus) or a small blue salvia such as 'May Knight.' Another option: A dark-hued, non-patterned Coleus such as 'Dark Star.'