Use & Care NotesCompanion Plants
Scarlet Ribbons Coreopsis: Velvet Maroon Stars at Lavender's Feet
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Scarlet Ribbons threadleaf coreopsis has flowers you want to touch. The broad, velvety petals are solid deep maroon red from the center to the notched tips, scattered over a mound of fine, threadlike green foliage that looks almost like a cloud.
It is a low, long-blooming plant that tucks neatly around the base of lavender and shares its taste for sun and lean soil.
Scarlet Ribbons at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Anacis verticillata 'Scarlet Ribbons' (syn. Coreopsis verticillata) |
| Flowers | Velvety maroon red, about 1.5 inches across |
| Foliage | Medium green, fine and threadlike |
| Size | 16 to 18 inches tall, 16 to 20 inches wide |
| Bloom | Starts late June, peaks mid-July, waves through August |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators; deer resistant |
Depth and texture beside lavender
Most companions brighten lavender. Scarlet Ribbons deepens it. Dark maroon flowers make purple look richer, and the airy, needle-fine leaves contrast with lavender's silver, felted foliage without competing for attention. Planted along the front of a lavender row, it forms a low, dark-dotted ribbon that blooms in waves from late June through August.
The fine foliage dries quickly after rain, which helps in humid weather. It is described as mildew resistant, though very crowded clumps can still get powdery mildew in still, muggy spells, so give it the same breathing room you give lavender.
Planting and care
- Site: full sun with average to lean, well-drained soil. It is very heat tolerant.
- Water: drought tolerant once established, though an occasional deep drink in long droughts keeps flowers coming.
- Shearing: after the first big flush, shear the mound back by about a third. It tidies the plant and brings on the next wave.
- Winter: hardy in Michigan in well-drained soil. Leave the stems standing over winter and cut back in spring when new growth appears.
- Watch for: crown rot in wet soil, and occasional leaf spots or aster yellows. Remove any plant with distorted, greenish flowers.
Sketch a front-of-border layout in the Companion Plant Planner.
Where else it shines
Its compact size makes it useful in mass plantings, sunny containers and native-style gardens. The flowers are only fair for cutting and drying, so think of it as a garden plant first. Shearing with hand shears is far quicker than deadheading single blooms on a plant this fine.
Format
Scarlet Ribbons is offered as a full 72-cell plug tray, ideal for edging long beds or potting up your own plants. See the product page for current availability.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the same as yellow threadleaf coreopsis?
It is the same type of plant, with the same fine foliage and easy habit, but the flowers are a solid velvety maroon red instead of yellow.
Why is the botanical name different?
Threadleaf coreopsis has been reclassified as Anacis verticillata. You will still see it sold as Coreopsis verticillata.
How close to lavender can I plant it?
At the front edge of a lavender bed works well. Keep it out of the lavender's crown and leave a small gap for airflow.
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