Botanical Name: Coreopsis verticillata ‘Moonbeam’

Common Name: Tickseed

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 3–9)

Size: 18–24" Tall × 18–24" Wide

Growth Habit: Soft, Mounded, Clump-Forming Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun (Best Flowering); Tolerates Light Shade

Soil: Prefers Well-Drained Soil; Tolerates Poor, Sandy, or Rocky Soils

Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Early Fall (Exceptionally Long Bloom Period)

Fertilizer: Minimal; Avoid Excess Nitrogen

Features: Pale Lemon-Yellow Flowers, Fine Threadleaf Foliage, Heat & Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Ideal for Perennial Borders, Mass Plantings, Pollinator Gardens, Cottage Gardens, and Containers

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

See our complete Coreopsis Plant Guide for more in depth care details.

More About Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’

Coreopsis ‘Moonbeam’ has a completely different personality than most Coreopsis varieties, and that is exactly why I like it. The flowers are a soft buttery lemon that almost looks creamy in certain light, and when planted in drifts it creates this hazy wash of color that feels calm and effortless. The fine, wispy foliage gives it movement, especially when a breeze comes through. It does not sit heavy in the garden. It dances. It brings a sense of lightness and quiet sophistication that softens stronger colors and makes the entire planting feel more refined.

What truly sets ‘Moonbeam’ apart is how effortlessly it blends into almost any planting. I have woven it between ornamental grasses where its soft yellow blooms peek through the blades like little flecks of sunlight, and I have tucked it around roses where it gently highlights the blooms without competing for attention. Along walkways, where bold color can sometimes feel loud or crowded, ‘Moonbeam’ brings just enough brightness to feel intentional but never overpowering. It acts as a unifying thread, tying stronger colors together and softening sharp contrasts. Its bloom season is generous and steady, typically beginning in late Spring and carrying confidently through Summer with very little lull.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Moonbeam’ has proven itself as a true backbone perennial. It does not demand rich soil, heavy fertilizing, or constant attention to perform well. In fact, it often looks better when it is not over pampered. We planted it in one of our leaner beds that drains quickly and does not receive supplemental irrigation, and it settled in without complaint. Season after season, it returned with the same steady habit and reliable bloom. No flopping. No thinning out in the center. No midseason collapse. Just consistent, graceful color that carries its weight in the planting.

I remember one particular bed where everything around it was bold and saturated. There were deep reds, hot pinks, and vivid purples competing for attention. It was ‘Moonbeam’ that quietly pulled it all together. The soft lemon blooms acted like a buffer, calming the intensity and giving the entire design cohesion. Customers often assume it must be delicate because of its fine, airy texture, but it is far tougher than it appears. Bees visit it throughout the day, yet deer rarely show interest. If you want a perennial that offers long lasting color with refinement rather than flash, ‘Moonbeam’ is one I trust completely year after year.

Moonbeam vs. Other Coreopsis Varieties

Moonbeam is noticeably softer in both color and texture when placed alongside Early Sunrise, with pale lemon blooms and fine, threadlike foliage that give it a light, airy presence in the garden. Early Sunrise reads brighter and more direct, while Moonbeam feels nuanced and subtle, slipping easily into mixed plantings without demanding attention. Against Double the Sun, the contrast is even stronger—Double the Sun is dense, ruffled, and showy, while Moonbeam appears floating and graceful, lending itself especially well to cottage gardens and pollinator-friendly designs.

Set next to Coreopsis Nana, Moonbeam moves away from the idea of a tight, buttoned-up edge plant and instead acts as a soft filler that weaves naturally through neighboring plants, extending color without forming rigid blocks. Nana is crisp and compact by design; Moonbeam stays wispy and drifting. Compared once to Permathread™ Shades of Rose, Moonbeam functions as a quiet neutral, combining soft yellow blooms with airy foliage, while Shades of Rose serves as a more intentional color statement. Gardeners looking for an airy, pale-yellow coreopsis that blends beautifully and never feels loud should choose Moonbeam.