Giant coreopsis, Sea Dahlia
Coreopsis gigantea

Family: Asteraceae or Compositae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Irregular or sprawling.

Coreopsis gigantea is a PERENNIAL growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 2.5

Where it is found

By the coast on rocky sea cliffs and exposed dunes to 50 metres in California.

South-western N. America.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 1

An orange to red/orange dye is obtained from the flowers and stems.

Dye: Plants that provide dyes.

Attracts Wildlife: Plants noted for attracting wildlife

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Seashore, Specimen. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Prefers a fertile well-drained moisture retentive medium soil. Requires a sunny position. Established plants are drought resistant. This species is not very cold hardy in Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -3°c. It dislikes winter wet and so is also apt to die out over the winter if grown on clay soils. It is best grown in a greenhouse in this country. The cut flowers last well in water. The flowers are loved by bees. Special Features:Attracts birds, Attractive foliage, North American native, Attracts butterflies, Suitable for cut flowers.

Propagating it: Seed - sow March in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer. The seed can also be sown in an outdoor seedbed in mid spring. Once they are more than 15cm tall, plant the seedlings out into their permanent positions in the summer. Division in spring or autumn. Very easy, larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer or following spring. Cuttings of young basal shoots, May/June in a frame. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 10-11

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Leptosyne gigantea.