Coreopsis 'Nana'

Coreopsis auriculata 'Nana'

Coreopsis auriculata is a lovely, spreading perennial that grows in charming 12-18" tall clumps and forms lush, bushy clusters as it gently expands. It's a delightful native of the southeastern U.S., found in open woods stretching from Virginia all the way down to Florida and Mississippi. You'll notice its deep green leaves, which are a bit hairy and come in an oval to elliptical shape. Each leaf has small lobes at the base that look just like adorable little mouse ears, giving this plant its common name—mouse ear coreopsis.

The daisy-like flowers are a cheerful sight, featuring eight bright yellow rays circling a sunny yellow disk in the center. They primarily bloom from April to June, standing tall on flower stalks that can reach 18". With a little care, like regularly deadheading spent flowers, these beauties can keep blooming throughout summer and even into fall. While many plants take a break in the middle of summer, mouse ear coreopsis often makes a lovely comeback once the temperatures cool down in the fall.

This wonderful plant loves medium moisture, well-drained soil and thrives best in full sun. Although it can handle some humidity and dry spells, it’s not as drought-tolerant as other Coreopsis varieties. To encourage even more blooming, a little deadheading of spent flower stalks is worth the effort, especially in larger plantings. For a tidy appearance and to promote a late summer rebloom, you can shear the plants in mid-summer, trimming away any sprawling or unkempt foliage. Over time, this charming perennial will gradually spread in your garden, creating a beautiful display when given the best growing conditions. And don't worry, managing its spread is easy; you can simply divide the clumps in spring.

Height: 6"-9" 
Spread: 6"-9"
Bloom: May-June
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Low, Medium
Zone: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: Southeastern U.S.