Coreopsis: overwintering & propagation

Fortunately, the bright flowers of coreopsis can be admired for more than just one season. With the right care, they can sprout vibrantly the following year as well.

Overwintering coreopsis (Coreopsis) does not require much effort and works fine for most species. Propagating coreopsis is also simple – follow our instructions and you’ll be sure to succeed. Below you can learn more about the winter hardiness and propagation of this beautiful sight.

Is coreopsis hardy?

Most perennial species of coreopsis are sufficiently frost-resistant. However, there are some varieties that should be additionally protected in colder winters.

Tip: since coreopsis is a naturally rather short-lived perennial, regardless of its frost-resistance, you should propagate it in good time if you want to enjoy the plant for a long time to come.

Which species of coreopsis are hardy?

Various species of coreopsis have certain differences in terms of frost-resistance. However, even within one species the same frost tolerance does not necessarily apply across the board. Therefore, it is best to make sure when purchasing whether the particular variety meets expectations. You can get more detailed information about the different properties and characteristics of coreopsis varieties and species in our follow-on article.

• Not hardy: annual dyer’s coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria)
• Hardy down to about -17 °C: large-flowering coreopsis(Coreopsis grandiflora ˈEarly Sunriseˈ)
• Hardy down to about -23 °C: large-flowered coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora), small girl’s eye (Coreopsis lanceolata), whorled coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)
• Hardy down to about -34 °C: tall coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris)

Tips for overwintering coreopsis

In general, it is recommended to support short-lived perennials with additional protective measures, especially in harsh locations or colder winters. Covering with mulch materials such as leaves, and twigs is a good way to do this. It also helps to suppress weeds and maintains an even moisture content in the soil.
If you have cultivated specimens of this beautiful vision in pots, they should be wrapped with fleece and placed in a sheltered place, preferably on a polystyrene board. Make sure that the potting soil never dries out completely, even in winter, but equally avoid soil that is too moist.

At a glance: overwintering coreopsis

• Frost-resistance depends on species and variety
• Additional protection in harsh locations and cold winters
• Cover the bedding plants with mulch material
• Cover potted plants with fleece and place them in a sheltered location
• Occasionally water potted plants, even in winter

Tip: pruning close to the ground in early autumn will encourage new growth, extending the life of the beauty.

Propagating coreopsis

Coreopsis can be propagated not only by sowing, but also by division and cuttings. Under optimal site conditions, some species such as whorled-leaved and tall girl’s eye, even tend to self-seed. To harvest your own seeds, you need to wait until the flower heads have withered and the seed heads have matured and dried. For instructions on how to proceed with sowing, please see our guide to coreopsis.

Division

Since they are usually quite short-lived perennials, it is best to propagate and simultaneously rejuvenate plants by division. To do this, cut the root ball with a spade in autumn or spring and replant the individual pieces.

Propagating coreopsis via cuttings

Propagation by cuttings can be done from May. For this purpose, it is best to cut basal cuttings 10-15 cm in length. These are removed directly from the base of the stem of the plant with a sharp tool. The shoot should be healthy and have a few leaves. Remove the leaves from the bottom of the cutting and place almost half of it in a moist growing medium. For a better microclimate, a plastic bag or film can be put over the pots. Rooting takes several weeks and should occur at temperatures between 15 and 18 °C.

At a glance: propagating coreopsis

• Sowing: grow indoors in March/April or sow directly in the ground above temperatures of 10 °C
• Division: divide the root ball in autumn/spring
• Cuttings: take basal cuttings and pot from May

Can you harvest coreopsis seeds? There is nothing wrong with using the seeds of your own plants for propagation. To do this, you just need to wait for the right time to harvest, which depends on the particular flowering time of the species or variety. However, varietal propagation by sowing cannot be guaranteed if there are different species or varieties of girl’s eye in the garden, as they are pollinated by bees and bumblebees, among others. For single-variety propagation, the plant should be separated, and hand-pollinated or no other species or variety should be placed nearby.

A perennial that is also insensitive to frost and is hardy down to -30°C is the black cohosh (Actaea racemosa). With its beautiful flowerheads, it not only enriches the appearance of a perennial planting but is also used as a medicinal plant for menopausal symptoms.