The winner
Thread-leaf tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata) is a very reliable perennial with single, showy, daisy-like, yellow flowers that start to bloom in June and often don't stop until the first frost. Don't be fooled by its delicate-looking, threadlike foliage-this is one tough, drought-resistant plant. Tickseed loves well-drained, sandy soil and full sun to light shade.
‘Moonbeam' is my favourite cultivar. Named Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Association in 1992, it reaches 45 centimetres tall with a spread of 30 centimetres. Shape the plant with a light shearing after it flowers; this will also encourage re-bloom. Hardy to Zone 4.
Honourable mentions
‘Goldsturm' coneflower (black-eyed Susan) (Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivantii)
‘Goldsturm' 1999 Perennial Plant of the Year
Height: 45 to 90 cm Spread: 60 cm Location: full sun to part shade, well drained, sandy to clay soil Cultivation: easy to grow, no staking or deadheading; tolerates heat, drought and cold Flowers: golden yellow petals with a black cone, July to frost Foliage: medium green Zone: 3
‘Matrona' sedum (Sedum ‘Matrona')
Height: 50 to 60 cm Spread: 60 cm
Location: full sun, sandy, well-drained soil
Cultivation: easy to grow; pinch back when young Flowers: pink clusters, late summer to fall Foliage: succulent, pinkish grey Zone: 2
‘Veitch's Blue' small globe thistle (Echinops ritro ‘Veitch's Blue')
Height: 100 to 115 cm Spread: 45 to 60 cm
Location: full sun, sandy, well-drained soil
Cultivation: easy to grow, but avoid dividing or moving Flowers: blue, golf ball-shaped blooms, July to September Foliage: dark green, thistle-like Zone: 3
A few more favourites
‘Terracotta' yarrow, Achillea ‘Terracotta', Zone 3
Height: 75 to 100 cm Spread: 60 to 75 cm
‘Burgunder' blanket flower, Gaillarda ‘Burgunder' (a.k.a. Burgundy), Zone 3
Height: 60 to 100 cm Spread: 30 to 60 cm<
‘Magnus' purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus', Zone 3
Height: 1 m Spread: 45 to 60 cm
‘Happy Returns' daylily, Hemerocallis ‘Happy Returns', Zone 2
Height: 35 to 40 cm Spread: 45 to 60 cm
‘Big Ears' lambs' ears, Stachys byzantina ‘Big Ears', Zone 3
Height: 30 to 45 cm Spread: 40 to 60 cm.
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1 Comment
Gaillardia or blanket flower should be tops as it blooms from end of June to October, really the longest lasting perennial. And that is in very sandy soil with no additional watering or fertilizer. It actually prefers total neglect. It's not the tidiest of plants but looks great as part of a cottage garden, very cheerful and always blooming. It helps to keep deadheading it until Sept. then leave it so that it regenerates itself and/or self-seeds for the next year.