Coreopsis verticillata Route 66 - Tickseed

Coreopsis verticillata 'Route 66', also known as Whorled Tickseed, is a fabulous American novelty, destined for a bright future. Firstly, for its exceptionally long flowering period, with yellow star-shaped flowers randomly splashed with purple, from early summer to autumn. Secondly, because the dominant colour of the bouquet changes from yellow to faded red over time, as if the plant successively embraces the radiant smile of summer and the sumptuous melancholy of autumn. Finally, it sports a dark and contrasting robe, woven with very fine leaves. Its wide habit, well-defined silhouette, undemanding nature, and love for the sun make it suitable for exposed slopes and challenging conditions. It is also a remarkable perennial for container gardening and an excellent cut flower. Superb!

Coreopsis verticillata belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to the plains of Central America, Mexico, and the southeastern United States. 'Route 66' is a cultivar that appeared spontaneously along the legendary Route 66, in Lucinda, Pennsylvania. This herbaceous perennial with a woody rootstock has a spreading tufted habit, highly branched, compact, and wide, as if it had been meticulously pruned. It reaches a height of 60cm (24in) with a spread of 80cm (32in). The flowering, loved by butterflies and bees, starts from the end of June and continues until the first frost. The capitulum flowers have pale yellow ligules irregularly splashed with purple, measuring 5cm (2in) in diameter. They bloom from globose buds and are arranged in whorls of 3 along the slender stems. The particularity of this flowering resides in the fact that the dominant colour of the capitula changes from pale yellow with a halo of red in June to dark red distinctly dominating the yellow at the end of the season. The dark green deciduous foliage is composed of 6cm (2in) long leaves finely divided into linear leaflets. The plant slowly spreads with the help of a tangle of thin rhizomes, which do not spread.

Perennial Coreopsis dreads winter humidity and heavy soils. These plants require full sun, even scorching, to flower well. They thrive in a light, porous, gravelly, or sandy soil, always well-drained, slightly acidic, neutral, or slightly alkaline, even if poor. They will also adapt well to humus-rich and moist soil, provided that the drainage is perfect. In such conditions, they flower and live for a long time. To promote reblooming, it is preferable to remove faded flowers, especially at the end of August. A rewarding plant that requires little maintenance.

Coreopsis verticillata is a versatile perennial. It will thrive in a rock garden, on a barren slope with wallflowers, love-in-a-mist, and wild flax, or in a herbaceous border alongside Teucrium chamaedrys, thyme, and Santolinas. In a pot or container, this plant blooms continuously from the first year. For a beautifully blooming summer, in the ground or in a large pot, with very little water, it can be paired with Calamintha glandulosa and Nepeta 'Dawn to dusk'. It is also a lovely flower for summer bouquets, like a little sun in the house.