Coreopsis verticillata Ladybird

The Coreopsis verticillata 'Ladybird' is a cultivar of Whorled Coreopsis with large, bright red flowers that bloom from summer to autumn. This variety blooms continuously, with new flowers quickly covering the old ones. Its vegetation is compact, well-branched, and adorned with abundant finely cut dark green foliage. Hardy in well-drained soil, this perennial thrives in full sun and looks stunning in borders, rock gardens, edgings, flower pots, and bouquets.

The Coreopsis verticillata 'Ladybird' belongs to the Asteraceae family. Its wild ancestor, the Whorled Coreopsis, is native to the plains of Central America, Mexico, and the southeastern United States. 'Ladybird' is a recent cultivar selected by Terra Nova Nurseries in the USA for its compact habit and abundant flowering. This herbaceous perennial with a woody rootstock forms a dense, slightly spreading clump, highly branched. It reaches 35 cm in height with a spread of 25-30 cm. The flowering period of this variety is very long: it starts in May and continues until October. The bright red flower heads, 3.5 cm in diameter, open from globose buds and are arranged in whorls of 3 along the slender stems. The petal tips are yellow. The dark green, glossy foliage consists of 6 cm long leaves, finely divided into linear leaflets. The plant slowly spreads through a network of slender, non-running rhizomes. The foliage is deciduous and absent in winter.

The Whorled Coreopsis 'Ladybird' is a simple and charming perennial that can be used in various ways. It will thrive in a rock garden, on a difficult slope, alongside wallflowers, Damask nigellas, and wild flax, in a herbaceous border, in the company of lavenders or snapdragons. In a pot or container, this plant blooms continuously from the first year. For a beautiful summer display, both in the ground and in large pots, with minimal water requirements, it can be paired with Nepeta grandiflora 'Dawn to dusk'. Lastly, it makes a lovely addition to summer bouquets, like a little sun in the house.