1. Sea Dahlia – Coreopsis maritima
(kor-ee-OP-sis muh-RIT-tim-muh)
Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower Family)
Native to: Coastal San Diego & Orange Co to Baja (also coast below Santa Monica mtns.); coastal
bluffs & dunes below 200 ft., typically on eroding sediments.
Rare.
Growth characteristics: sub-shrub/herbaceous perennial mature height:2-3 ft. mature width:2-3 ft.
Robust, upright sub-shrub from a fleshy (bulb-like) tap-root. Grows quickly to 2-3 ft tall & wide.
Leaves bright green, lacy-looking, two or three times cut into narrow lobes giving a ferny effect.
Very attractive foliage – lush looking.
Blooms Mar-June, sometimes longer (like other Coreopsis). Flowers are typical
bright yellow ‘Sunflower-type’ compound flower heads. Flowers, several per stalk, well displayed
above foliage. Flowers are honey-scented. Very attractive and showy.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Makes a great specimen sub-shrub. Place where you can enjoy the flowers &
pollinators. Makes a good cut flower. Looks great with its common natural associates: Artemisia
dracunculus, Lupinus longifolius, Trichostema lanceolatum, Allium haematochiton, Mimulus
aurantiacus or with other coastal sun-lovers like Seaside Daisy, Coyote Mint, and Idaho Fescue.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native Coreopsis.
Attracts: Good bee habitat.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun
Sandy (ok also in well-drained sandy loams); any local pH
Occasional to no summer water once established (Zone 1 to 2)
None; like nitrogen-poor soils
Tolerates wind; seaside conditions
Relatively easy in sandy soils. Don’t over-water. Will reseed well on bare soils.
Hybridizes with Coreopsis gigantea so don’t plant together. Divide mature plants.
Management:
Propagation: from seed: easy in fall (fresh seed)
by divisions: mature plant
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 11, 14, 20
2/11/11
© Project SOUND