This article highlights three varieties of coreopsis. These include Route 66 coreopsis and Zagreb coreopsis.

Coreopis plants are suitable for containers. These deer-proof plants are an excellent choice for butterfly gardens. The stems also make great cut flowers. These don’t require quite as much water as some perennials with their low to moderate water needs.

Route 66 Threadleaf Coreopsis

Route 66 threadleaf coreopsis was discovered by Patti Bauer in northern Pennsylvania on Route 66, which explains the name for this outstanding perennial. The plant was introduced by ITSaul Plants.

This variety received very high ratings during plant trials at Mt. Cuba. The well branched, upright plant is two feet tall with a spread of two feet or so. This is recommended for zones five through nine and possibly colder in some cases. The plant does well in full sun to part shade.

Route 66 coreopsis blooms throughout the season from June through the fall. The bi-colored blossoms are two inches wide. They’re vivid yellow with a large red to burgundy eye that initially forms a circle in the center, but later extends to the rest of the petal area.


Coreopsis Zagreb Threadleaf Coreopsis

Zagreb coreopsis is considered a garden classic. The bushy plant is quite tough and can withstand drought. It received the Royal Horticultural Society’s award of garden merit.

The compact plant with upright stems is a top performing variety. It prefers full sun to part shade. This does best in zones four through nine.

Zagreb coreopsis is said to be a compact version of Golden Showers coreopsis. A spacing of fourteen inches between plants is recommended.

This plant can reach two feet in height with a spread of one to 1½ feet or so. The needle-like foliage remains attractive throughout the season.

Zagreb coreopsis is a long blooming variety and very free flowering. The flowers appear from June into the fall. The blooms are clear golden yellow to a deep golden yellow. These are a deeper yellow than the blossoms of Moonbeam coreopsis.

The flowers are held above the leaves.

Moonbean Coreopsis
This is a threadleaf coreopsis variety. It was selected by Bill Carehet,a British horticulturist. This was named the Perennial of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association in 1992.

Moonbean coreopsis is now considered a classic. Suitable for zones three through eight, it was highly rated in the Mt. Cuba plant trials. If grown from seed, the seedlings can be variable, so vegetative propagation is best.

The plant does well in containers and a top choice for borders. It is suitable for most soils. Coreopsis Moonbeam forms a tidy, mounding clump. This is a very tough, reliable, sturdy plant.

This does well in full sun and part shade. The plant is 1½ to two feet tall with a spread of a foot. It is lower growing than some others. This plant tends to emerge later in the spring than some other perennials.

Very finely cut, the upright foliage is 2½ inches long. This is airy, needle-like, and very dark green. A spacing of fourteen inches works well.

Coreopsis Moonbem is a carefree plant that needs no deadheading. Very free flowering from early summer into fall, this is very showy when in bloom. The flowers are 1½ inches wide and simply cover the plant.

The blossoms are light yellow to lemon yellow or sulfur yellow. These open singly on short stems. They make great cut flowers.