It is the nature of most perennials that they will not bloom all summer.
Your coreopsis will bloom once, rather exuberantly, then that's basically it
till next year. Deadheading does mean removing the spent flowers. It's
done to prevent the plant from putting energy into making seeds, and to tidy
up the look of the plant. With some perennials, deadheading will encourage
another, smaller flush of blossoms if conditions are good; your coreopsis
may throw a few more flowers, but nothing like the first bloom.

Sue

Zone 6, Southcentral PA


"Mark Anderson" wrote in message
.net...
I'm a little confused about when it is appropriate to cut flowers. In
particular, I planted what's called a "Tickseed" Coreaopsis Grandiflora
(according to the label). It's a flowering perennial with golden flowers
and it's already flowering. Should I wait for the flower to wilt or
should I catch the flower in full bloom and cut it? I'd like to have
this thing bloom all summer long if possible. I have a few other
perennials like this too.

Also, is this what you've been referring to as "Deadheading?" It says in
the planting instructions: Deadheading spent blooms promotes flowering.
So I assume that means cutting the dead flowers but I'm not sure and I'm
getting tired of learning through mistakes.