Enrich the meadow garden’s habitat qualities by planting native grasses that will provide food and shelter to wildlife species if the plants are allowed to stand tall through winter. Try native grasses such as little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum).
Calliopsis Care Must-Knows
Calliopsis is easily grown in full sun and soil that is well-drained. It tolerates dry, sandy soil, as well as loamy soil with medium moisture. This annual grows well in heat, humidity, and some drought. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected spring frost. Or sow seeds directly in the garden after the last frost date. Unless you find it available as established seedlings, plant from seed directly in the ground in spring in rich, well-drained soil. It’s not fussy about fertilizer and likes ample water. Calliopsis freely self-seeds in most growing conditions. Unwanted seedlings are easy to remove, but the chore can be extensive if you have a large stand of self-seeding plants. Encourage a second round of flowering and limit self-seeding by deadheading spent flowers. Check out the top deer resistant annuals.
Calliopsis Varieties
Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’
This variety is a compact perennial commonly called large-flowered tickseed. Yellow daisylike semi-double blossoms on slender, erect stems. Zones 4-9
Coreopsis rosea
Coreopsis rosea features pink blossoms with yellow centers. It has linear fine-textures leaves with an airy appearance. Zones 3-8.
