Butterfly garden Pattern No. 3

Overview

This Coreopsis fills its space quickly but not taking over and not re-seeding oppressively. Once the rhizomes collide with the Echinacea the competition slows the plant down. It’s unique foliage  looks like a small ducks foot. The golden daisy flowers cover the plant in early to mid June. As the flowers fade the seed heads go from green to dark brown.  Into the fall the foliage turns yellow/green with some copper/red color.  The Coreopsis’s seasonal  decline is very attractive having the large brown seedheads of the Echinacea floating above it.

Stewardship

There is no need to deadhead either plant. Their fading flowers are very attractive as they mature into Autumn. You will see some seedlings from each plant. Just use the Dutch Push/Pull hoe to remove the seedlings as you determine if their location enhances the garden. Don’t let them re-seed everywhere. Be the artist in the Garden, choose the seedling you leave thoughtfully. Cut back everything in March before your bulbs come up. You can use a string trimmer cutting the plants down from top to bottom. Leave the plants leaf and stem remnants in the garden that’s their healthy mulch.  Plants have been self-mulching since they appeared on Earth.

*These garden plans can be followed explicitly or adjusted to meet individual needs, unlocking rich perennial landscape designs for individualization and creativity.