PlantFiles: Threadleaf Coreopsis, Pink Tickseed
Coreopsis rosea 'American Dream'

While this plant is indeed later to bloom than my other coreopsis as well as floppy, it is a really reliable and beautiful plant in my garden. I must say I am surprised to see negative reviews from places much warmer than Montana. Although I mulch in the fall, I've done nothing extraordinary in terms of winter survival measures. It is located in full sun, slightly alkaline and amended clay soil on a steep slope unprotected from wind. Considering my conditions, it is a definite thumbs up. It has been blooming since July 9 and still looks great.

I have had terrible luck with coreopsis of many types. I'm in Michigan and they behave like an annual in my garden. I've tried American Dream, Autumn Blush, Heaven's Gate, and several others, only to have them look lovely through the summer, and fail to return next season. A buyer for a local greenhouse recently told me to avoid all varieties except for the "standard" yellows- because very few of the varieties, in particular the pink ones, survive cold winters.

I have to say I love this plant!!! It has an almost constant supply of pink flowers all summer. Plus it spreads by underground runners so its easy to get more yet not invasive at all. I've probably had it a good 10 years and it comes back reliably every time.

I planted "American Dream" in October 2007 - it was a full healthy plant but was on the clearance table. It took a very long time for any sign of it to appear this past spring - much later than any of my several other Coreopsis, and I was ready to give up. It wasn't until mid-May that I knew for sure that it had returned, and it grew very slowly. By early June it was only about 4 inches tall. Once it got going it was just fine. By June 30, it was about 8 inches tall and had tiny buds, with the first flowers actually appearing July 14. The flowers are a very pretty rose color. It now has lots of flowers, but the plant is floppy like most Threadleaf Coreopsis.

COREOPSIS Rosea American Dream - Short 8-12" - Plant 14" apart. Deep green, tight foliage. The flowers are a rose pink, and have a cheerful yellow eye. An improved variety that was the Netherlands's 1993 Plant of the Year.

General Information:
Especially free flowering - continuously in bloom from early summer right into fall. Makes a good cut flower with its unusual narrow tapered foliage. They spread readily and can be used in a naturalized planting, on a sunny bank, or in the traditional border. While they attract butterflies, they are deer resistant.

Plant Care:
Needs a nice sunny well drained spot. Very easy to grow. Deadhead with hedge shears after flowering to freshen foliage. Spreads underground, so division every 2-3 may be necessary to contain girth.

This plant was beautiful at first and got more ragged looking as the summer progressed, even with dead heading and cutting back, was NOT a perennial for me, no sign of it this spring.

This should not be touted as a perenial. Its definitely a tender perenial, if not an annual. Very pretty @ first, but requires constant deadheading to spent blooms in order to get new ones. I won't be buying it again.