Also called threadleaf coreopsis, this dependable perennial forms soft mounds of finely divided foliage topped for weeks by small, bright yellow daisies. It is one of the easiest native perennials for a sunny border.
Where it grows in North Carolina
Dry, open ground in the Piedmont, Sandhills, and Coastal Plain — sandy fields, clearings, and roadsides. It spreads slowly by rhizomes to form drifts and shrugs off heat and drought.
Wildlife value
The long bloom season provides steady nectar and pollen for small native bees and butterflies; songbirds pick at the seed heads in fall.
In the garden
Give it sun and average-to-dry soil. Shear lightly after the first flush to keep it tidy and encourage rebloom. Excellent in masses and pollinator borders.