Coreopsis, Mardi Gras

Easily grown in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Tolerates light shade. Performs well in poor sandy or rocky soils. Tolerant of heat, humidity and some drought. Seeds may be sown indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost date. Set plants out after last frost date. Seed may also be planted outdoors after last frost date. Prompt deadheading of spent flowers may encourage additional bloom and prevents any unwanted self-seeding. Freely self seeds in optimum conditions. Coreopsis tinctoria, commonly called plains coreopsis, garden coreopsis, golden tickseed or calliopsis, is an annual coreopsis that is native to the western U.S. (west of the Mississippi River). It is commonly cultivated in gardens as an annual, and has over time escaped from gardens and naturalized thoughout most of the eastern U. S. to the Atlantic Ocean. In Missouri, it is typically found in rocky glades, sandy ground and along roadsides and along railroad tracks). It grows 2-4’ tall and to 18" wide on smooth, stiff, branching stems.