Coreopsis palmata - Prairie Coreopsis - 38 Plug Tray

Prairie coreopsis is an upright perennial that grows about two feet tall and spreads by rhizomes and self-seeding to form dense colonies. It is resistant to deer and as well as the harshest of dry soil conditions, and with its fibrous root system it can be a great choice for stabilizing dry sandy slopes or dunes. Its palm-like leaves of three long, slender leaflets attach directly to its upright stem that supports a single golden yellow daisy-like flower up to two inches in diameter.

Prairie coreopsis blooms for three to four weeks in the early summer, attracting a number of pollinators with its abundant nectar. In the late summer and fall the flowers develop into seeds that are eaten by songbirds, and leaves and stems turn an attractive red, providing seasonal interest. This plant is also a larval host plant for several moth species such as the wavy-lined emerald. The spent blooms of prairie coreopsis can be deadheaded to extend bloom time and decrease the rate of spreading via self-seeding.