Creamy Calico Coreopsis
Creamy Calico Coreopsis
Cream Daisies Brushed With Red Over Ferny Foliage
Creamy Calico Coreopsis (Coreopsis 'Creamy Calico') charms with soft cream daisies splashed and brushed with rosy-red, each bloom a little different, over a mound of fine threadleaf foliage. Flowering from early summer into fall, it adds painterly, multi-toned color to the border while drawing bees and butterflies. Drought-tough and deer-resistant, it's a unique, low-care choice for sunny borders in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Creamy Calico Coreopsis Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Coreopsis 'Creamy Calico' |
| Mature Size | 14–18 in. tall, 16–20 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun (6+ hours) |
| Bloom Time | Early summer into fall |
| Flower Color | Cream brushed with rosy-red |
| Soil | Well-drained; tolerates clay and lean soil; adaptable |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to about -25°F once established |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer or rabbits |
| Native Status | Threadleaf coreopsis type — native-derived |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Soft, painterly borders: The cream-and-red blooms blend gracefully with both pastel and bold plantings. Space 16–20 inches apart.
Pollinator and low-water beds: Bees and butterflies love it; tough in hot, dry spots. Pair with catmint, salvia, and grasses.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall. Provide good drainage; avoid soggy winter soil.
How to Plant Creamy Calico Coreopsis
Dig a hole twice the pot's width at the same depth, loosening clay and mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water in, and mulch lightly. Space 16–20 inches apart.
Watering Creamy Calico Coreopsis
First year: Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Drought-tolerant — water only during extended dry spells. A midsummer shear refreshes it for fall bloom.
Q: Will the flowers all look the same?
No — each bloom carries a slightly different cream-and-red pattern, giving a charming, varied look across the plant.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to zone 4 with good drainage; avoid wet winter soil.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer and rabbits rarely bother coreopsis.
Q: How do I keep it blooming?
Shear lightly in midsummer to spur fresh flowers into fall.
You May Also Like
Zagreb Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata): A golden threadleaf classic.
Catmint (Nepeta): A blue, deer-resistant partner.
Coneflower (Echinacea): A native pollinator companion.