Coreopsis Seeds - Amulet

Coreopsis Amulet is a beautiful and hardy perennial, renowned for its charming, daisy-like flowers and vibrant color. This variety features compact plants with abundant blooms that create a cheerful, sunny display in gardens, flower beds, and borders. Amulet offers a refined, more controlled growth habit compared to other coreopsis varieties, making it ideal for smaller spaces or container gardening. It’s also highly valued for attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies, contributing to a thriving garden ecosystem.

Key Benefits

• Vibrant Yellow Flowers: Produces bright, golden-yellow blooms with a unique, slightly darker center, adding striking color to any garden.
• Attracts Pollinators: Like all coreopsis varieties, Amulet is loved by bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it a great choice for eco-friendly gardens.
• Compact Growth Habit: Reaches a height of 12–18 inches, making it perfect for smaller garden spaces or containers.
• Long Blooming Period: Flowers from early summer to fall, providing consistent color throughout the growing season.
• Low Maintenance: Easy to grow and care for, requiring minimal attention once established.

Variety Features

• Plant Characteristics: Compact, upright growth with slender green foliage and abundant yellow blooms.
• Flower Color: Golden-yellow with a darker center, giving it a more refined and elegant appearance compared to other coreopsis varieties.
• Growth Habit: Upright, compact habit that reaches 12–18 inches in height and 12–15 inches in width.
• Size: Typically grows to a height of 12–18 inches, with a spread of 12–15 inches.

Planting Instructions

Planting Season

• Best planted in early spring after the last frost or in late fall for a spring bloom.

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/8 inch deep.
• Spacing: Space plants 12–18 inches apart to allow for proper airflow and healthy growth.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.5).
• Sunlight: Thrives in full sun but can tolerate light shade in warmer climates.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Keep the soil consistently moist until seeds germinate. Once established, Amulet is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering, making it ideal for low-maintenance gardens.

Fertilization

• Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring to promote healthy growth. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this may result in lush foliage with fewer blooms.

Weeding and Mulching

• Mulch around the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Regularly weed around the base to prevent competition for nutrients.

Pest and Disease Control

Pests

• While Amulet is relatively pest-resistant, aphids or spider mites may occasionally appear. Treat infestations with insecticidal soap or by introducing natural predators like ladybugs.

Diseases

• Coreopsis Amulet is fairly disease-resistant but may be susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions. To reduce the risk, ensure proper spacing between plants for good air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

Harvesting

Maturity

• Coreopsis Amulet blooms from early summer to fall, with flowers reaching their peak in mid-summer.

Seed Harvesting

• Allow flowers to dry on the plant before harvesting seeds. Collect seeds when the flower heads have matured and turned brown, and store them in a cool, dry place for future planting.

Storage

Short-Term

• Store harvested seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry location to preserve their viability for up to one year.

Long-Term

• For longer storage, keep seeds in a dark, cool, and dry environment, ensuring they remain viable for multiple growing seasons.

Culinary and Medicinal Uses

• Culinary Uses: Coreopsis flowers are edible and can be used as decorative garnishes for salads, desserts, or cocktails.
• Medicinal Uses: Coreopsis has some traditional medicinal uses, particularly for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, though it is not commonly used in modern herbal medicine.

Conclusion

Coreopsis Amulet is an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a compact, easy-to-care-for perennial with bright, attractive flowers. Its vibrant yellow blooms, long blooming season, and ability to attract pollinators make it a standout in any garden, from borders to containers. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, Amulet's low-maintenance needs and resilient growth will ensure it thrives in your outdoor space, adding a splash of color and supporting beneficial insects all season long.