Coreopsis verticillata Bengal Tiger

The 'Bengal Tiger' Verticillate Coreopsis, also known as Verticillate Coreopsis, offers large, two-tone star-shaped flowers. The golden yellow petals are widely invaded by a central mahogany red area. They bloom from early summer until autumn, against a dark backdrop of delicate leaves. Its compact habit, well-defined silhouette, undemanding nature, and love for sunshine make it suitable for well-exposed slopes and challenging conditions. It is also a disease-resistant variety, remarkable in flower pots and bouquets.

The Verticillate Coreopsis belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to the plains of Central America, Mexico, and the southeastern United States. 'Bengal Tiger' is a recent cultivar selected for the brilliance of its large, two-tone flower heads and excellent resistance to mildew. This herbaceous perennial with a woody rootstock has a bushy, highly branched, compact habit. It reaches a height of 45 cm (18in) with a spread of 50 cm (20in). The flowering begins in June and continues until the first frosts. The pale yellow flowers, measuring 4 cm (2in) in diameter, open from rounded buds and are arranged in whorls of 3 along slender stems. The 8 outer ligules form a golden yellow and red collar surrounding a reddish-brown central disk. The dark green, deciduous foliage consists of 6 cm (2in) long leaves, finely divided into linear leaflets. The plant slowly spreads through a network of slender, non-trailing rhizomes.

The Verticillate Coreopsis is a versatile perennial. It will thrive in a rock garden, on a difficult slope with wallflowers, love-in-a-mist, and wild flax, or in a herbaceous border alongside Teucrium chamaedrys or x lucidrys, thyme, and cotton lavender. In pots or containers, this plant blooms continuously from the first year onwards. For a beautiful summer display, whether in the ground or in a large pot with minimal watering, it can be paired with Calamintha glandulosa and Nepeta 'Dawn to dusk'. Lastly, it makes a lovely addition to summer bouquets, like sunshine inside the house.