Coreopsis Uptick 'Cream and Red' is a compact mounding perennial prized for its abundant bicolor blooms and creamy petals with bold burgundy centers that age to soft rose. Its extended bloom season stretches from early summer well into fall with minimal deadheading. This selection is noted for its tidy habit, continuous flowering, and resistance to leaf spot, making it a reliable standout in mixed borders or containers.
Height & Spread: 12 - 14 in x 14 - 20 in
Bloom Time: Early summer to fall
Light Requirements: Full sun
Soil Preference: Well drained soil
Watering Needs: Low to moderate; avoid overwatering
Deer Resistance: Generally deer resistant
Native Status
Though Coreopsis Uptick 'Cream and Red' is a cultivated hybrid, its parent species are native to North America, and it retains many pollinator supporting traits found in its wild relatives.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Butterflies
- Attracts a wide range of butterflies such as Painted Ladies, Pearl Crescents, and Silvery Checkerspots, drawn by its long blooming nectar rich flowers.
Bees
- Visited frequently by honeybees, sweat bees, and native bumblebees which feed on the abundant nectar and pollen throughout the summer.
Moths
- Supports nocturnal pollinators including sphinx moths and owlet moths, especially in mixed plantings with other native species.
Birds
- Goldfinches and other small songbirds feed on the seeds if spent blooms are left to dry on the plant into fall.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations
- Space 14 - 20 in apart to allow for full mounding form and airflow between plants.
Landscape Placement
- Excellent for front borders, pollinator gardens, containers, and mass plantings where long lasting color and compact form are desired. Also suitable for urban plantings and low maintenance beds.
Companion Plants
- Phlox paniculata (Garden Phlox) - Upright and richly colored, Phlox extends summer bloom and adds height and fragrance above compact Coreopsis mounds.
- Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna' (Wood Sage) - Offers vertical purple flower spikes and aromatic foliage that contrast well with Coreopsis form and color.
- Gaillardia x grandiflora (Blanket Flower) - Shares similar bloom timing and color tones, creating a warm, pollinator rich planting scheme.
- Allium schoenoprasum (Chives) - Adds grassy foliage and globe shaped blooms, complementing the fine texture of Coreopsis.
- Calamintha nepeta (Calamint) - Provides airy white to lavender flowers and minty scented foliage that draws bees and butterflies alike.