Coreopsis UpTick™ Gold & Bronze

Coreopsis UpTick™ Gold & Bronze: Sunset Daisies With a Bronze Bullseye

Golden petals around a wide bronze-red eye, like a daisy that went to a tanning salon and came back glowing. This tickseed blooms on and on in full sun. BRONZED AND BRAGGING.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Coreopsis 'Baluptgonz'
• Common Name: Tickseed
• Series: UpTick™, from Darwin Perennials
• Height: 30–36 cm (12–14 in)
• Spread: 30–36 cm (12–14 in)
• Flowers: Large golden-yellow daisies with a wide bronze-red centre
• Bloom Time: Late spring to early fall (June to September)
• Foliage: Narrow green leaves in a dense, mounded clump
• Features: Long blooming, compact, mildew resistant, good for cutting
• Plant Patent: USPP 28,882

Where to Plant: Plant it at the front of a hot, sunny border, in containers, or massed along a driveway for a warm, sunset-coloured edge. Its compact habit keeps the edge tidy. Grow a few extra if you like cut flowers.

Companion Plants: Euphorbia myrsinites trails blue-grey stems with yellow flowers in May and June along the front edge. Penstemon 'Onyx and Pearls' rises to 107 cm with lavender flowers in June and July. Symphyotrichum ericoides closes the season with tiny white asters from August to October. This mix suits a hot, dry, sunny spot.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in average, well-drained soil. Wet winter soil is its biggest enemy, so avoid low spots and heavy, undrained clay. Water regularly in the first season, then during dry spells. Deadhead or lightly shear spent flowers to keep the show going. Leave the stems standing over winter, then cut back in early spring when new growth starts. A sheltered, well-drained spot helps in colder zone 5 gardens. Divide every few years in spring if the clump opens up in the middle.

History: The UpTick™ series comes from Darwin Perennials, which selected it for compact, mounded plants, larger flowers and a longer season of bloom than older tickseeds. It won Best New Nursery Stock Plant Introduction at the Four Oaks Trade Show in the UK in 2016.

Final Thoughts: Mildew resistant, deer resistant and great for cutting. Plant it where the sun bakes. NO SPF REQUIRED.