Return to the Perennials Forum | Post a Follow-Up

 o
Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

Posted by bluestone7 7b (My Page) on
Thu, May 22, 14 at 11:50

In my front sunny and hot garden bed I want to put something in the center space at the foot of the crocosmia which steals the show in July.

I have narrowed it down to either the coreopsis moonbeam or geranium rozanne.

My chief concern is that the space can get baking sun so whichever plant can withstand the most direct sun is the one I need to put in that space. Anyone know which could take more heat?

Of course if neither one can take the direct hit of sun--I need to think of something else and suggestions are welcome.


Follow-Up Postings:

 o
RE: Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

My Coreopsis Moonbeam vanished, probably due to lacking TLC in its first year. I got the impression that the plain species C verticillata or the cultivar Zagreb are more resilient. Should be good for such a spot. They are plants that keep going in an no- maintenance garden.

I have one Rozanne, it started flowering about now and will keep going. But last summer we had a dry spell for some weeks (4-5, can't remember) and the long stalks of the Rozanne withered. It bounced back after the first rain and kept going till the frost.

Did you consider the white Centranthus ruber? It selfseeds in cracks and bare patches but is much mor resilient regarding heat, flowers long now and a second time if you chop it down ( about halfway).


 o
RE: Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

Not Rozanne - those large walliichianum leaves will droop in the noonday sun (although they will usually recover later in the day). Looks drastic. Threadfleaf coreopsis, on the other hand, can easily deal with the heat and sun....but, for me at least, it tends to have a much shorter blooming season than Rozanne. Why are you resolved to have either of these?You might want to have a look at some of the amazing colours of the shrubby sages - salvia - greggii, microphylla or jamensis can be found in colours ranging from pale primrose to deepest purples with the entire range of crimsons, pinks, corals, lavenders....and will bloom for many weeks. I have just acquired Wendy's wish and Mulberry Jam and find these sages quite thrilling, beloved by pollinators and hummingbirds.


 o
RE: Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

I'd also consider agastache for sunny spots.

Does your soil have decent drainage?


 o
RE: Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

The drainage is very good.

I was looking for a long bloomer that could take the sun. I repeatedly read that rozanne and moonbeam fit the bill and are well loved by many.

I was also looking for a gently mounding plant as it will be plunked in the middle of crocosmia and salvia caradonna with their upward spiky look.
------------------------

I already have bought moonbeam and coreopsis so they are going in... but exact spot was a question.

So based on the responses it seems I should put rozanne in the gentler spot and moonbeam in the sunnier.

I checked out the centranthus rubber-and it wasn't the look I am going for but thanks.

And, WOW the Wendy's wish is a total beauty...I need to find a place for her! Does she flop in the heat?

Oh, since hummingbirds were brought up , the hummingbirds in my area are driven wild by the lucifer crocosmia- they cannot get enough of it. Adding on Wendy's wish could be fun.

Any agastache that would be recommended for full baking sun?


 o
RE: Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

Agastache rupestris or Agastache foeniculum 'Golden Jubilee' would do well in your dry, full, hot sun conditions. Agastache is in the mint family (check the stems--they're square) and in my experience they're tough as nails, have a long bloom period, require zero care and are available in a multitude of bloom forms/colors. Some grow tall but lend themselves easily to being cut back when they exceed the gardener's view. Others grow to about the same height as Coreopsis 'Moonbeam' & 'Zagreb.'

With fragrant leaves & blooms, they easily attract pollinators.


 o
RE: Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

I have moonbeam on a bank in front of a sidewalk. It blooms and can take our hot and humid summers. I have Rozanne as well but not in the conditions. I would go with moonbeam out of the two.


 o
RE: Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

Gaillardia! Mine is in a very sunny dry spot and it blooms non-stop.


 o
RE: Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

My vote is the coreopsis for hot and sunny. Happy all summer. My geranium crisps under those conditions, although it does provide fall color unlike the coreopsis.


 o
RE: Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

Where I live in New Mexico, Moonbeam does well as long as you have good drainage. But for extended bloom in hot weather, my vote is for agastache. I have Coronado Red, Black Adder, Acapulco Trio, cana, foeniculum and have just planted sunset. My favorite so far is Coronado Red which starts blooming in June and keeps going until October. The flowers are red, but the throat is a deep orange - see link below for close up.

Salvia greggii will also keep going in heat, but they bloom best in spring and fall, with lower flower production in mid-summer. If you like pink shades, consider s. greggii Wild Thing. Or look at the heatwave series, microphylla x greggi hybrids which are supposed to stand up to heat better than s. greggii. I just planted Sparkle which is a deep pink.

Cheryl

Here is a link that might be useful: Coronado Red


 o
RE: Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

And just to add, G.'Rozeanne' is not a "gently mounding plant." It is a twiner with long, non rooting stems that climb magnificently and non agressively into neighbors. Used properly, it can be quite a sight--imagine those neighbors to be Caryopteris 'Snow Fairy' and/or Malva alcea fastigiata.


 o
RE: Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

So much great information. Thanks to all for the input.

Coreopsis is going to go in the hot position, and I am going to wish her well. If she can't take the heat - I will for sure move her.

And, like lvmgrdn1 I am putting my rozanne on a sort of banked edge near my walkway.

Thanks laceyvail for the info that Rozeanne is not a gently mounding plant..this is even better that she is a twiner for the site.

I will look at your two suggestions the caryopteris and the malva alcea fastigata.


 o
RE: Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

I bought one 'Rozanne' from Bluestone several years back and while it took a couple years for her to get established, she has met or exceeded every expectation. She gently spreads amongst her neighbors and seems to bloom forever! The lovely purple flowers blend well with other flowers. On top of that the pollinators like the blooms.

I just bought another Rozanne to place on the other side of the bird bath and balance out the first plant. Since she performs great in only a few hours of sun, and since I don't have much sun overall, I wouldn't waste her on a sunny spot because she does so well in partial sun.


 o
RE: Coreopsis Moonbeam or Geranium Rozanne

Coreopsis "Moonbeam" is a longtime favorite of mine and I can attest to the fact that it can not only handle the heat, but with a quick shearing off of the spent blooms, will reward you with replay after replay until the first frost. I love the airy nature of it and the soft yellow flowers that appear suspended within a greenish mist. A lovely compliment to your Crocosmia.


 o Post a Follow-Up

Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum.

    If you are a member, please log in.

    If you aren't yet a member, join now!


Return to the Perennials Forum

Information about Posting

  • You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
  • Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
  • Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
  • After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
  • Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
  • We have a strict no-advertising policy!
  • If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
  • If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.


Learn more about in-text links on this page here