Do coreopsis always grow like this?

Question

I bought two large coreopsis plants in June, and they flourished and flowered beautifully for a few weeks. I deadheaded them and kept them trimmed, but they became shabby looking with tall brown spikes growing out of them, and they stopped flowering. I couldn't stand how ugly they are, so today I cut them off down to the dirt. Is this how they always grow, or did I do something wrong?

Answer 1

I had the same experience with my bought coreopsis. They never came back.

However I have two types in my garden one more orange yellow and one a very light yellow which come back year after year and spread.

  

Answer 2

I live in Zone 8 and mine bloom twice a year:  in April and now.  I dead head them after the first bloom and a few months later get flowers all over again.  I don't trim them down until the early spring.

Answer 3

Occasional fertilizing of annuals and perennials is as important as watering. Do it monthly. Your veggies will benefit, too.

The original soil mix should include fertilizer, fine bark, lime, epsom salt, and compost, if avail. I fill pots with 1 inch fine bark on the bottom. By the way, the epsom salts contain magnesium sulfate, which inhibits soil insects that play havoc with root health.

Answer 4

I have a coreopsis and it flowers for about a month. I dont dead head it like I do other flowers. It is a perennial and spreads and comes up every year. The foliage looks ok after it flowers. I do cut it down in the fall.