If you’re looking for a yellow boost to the garden, coreopsis is a great plant. I have two types of coreopsis in my yard, but quite honestly, I am a bit confused about this plant and its names. Researching this sunny plant, I thought tickseed was a type but I think that’s just a common name. So where words fail me, pictures will do the talking.

I have been referring to the mounding, shrub-like plant as moonbeam (c. verticallata) and the other as tickseed (c. auriculata). Can anybody out there in gardenland provide clarity?

What I do know for certain is that one is carefee, the other not as much. Starting in June, the moonbeam blooms begin to burst forth atop its fine foliage. This mounding plant and can be as large as a small shrub. In the fall, I take my hedge shears and cut it all the way back. Give it a sunny spot and it will bloom nearly all summer. Bonus: it’s drought tolerant.

On the other hand, I keep handy my pruners and am continuously cleaning up the other type that I have referred to as tickseed coreopsis. This guy has sunny yellow flowers at the end of tall, thin stems. The leaves are more spear shaped. The blooms, although relatively short lived, add a nice brightness to the bed. I planted this variety because I wanted something that I could cut and add to vases all summer long. And it has not disappointed.

Both are easily adapted to the garden and I have divided them without any problems. The moonbeam truly wants full sun, up to six hours a day. One of my divisions has been a bit slow to take off and I think it’s because it does not get enough sun.