I haven’t been able to find seeds for Calliopsis ‘Finest Mix’ for the last two years, so this season I tried Coreopsis ‘Ruby Kiss’. It has the same growing habits—the plants have thin stems that can grow in the middle or back of a flower border without blocking out other plants. The flowers float above all the other annuals and perennials.
‘Ruby Kiss’ grows 46 inches tall with white flowers that have a ruby-red center. You can plant the seeds directly in the garden once the soil warms up, or start them inside a few weeks before your last frost date (I started mine in late April).
‘Ruby Kiss’ prefers full sun, but the plants will also thrive in part-sun, but you may want to stake them so they don’t topple over in the wind or during heavy downpours.
The flowers attract bees, wasps and other pollinators.