Maybe you should stop dead-heading in mid September, to give the plant some time to harden off? I don't know if this is a myth or not, but it's the conventional wisdom for roses.

Moonbeam is unkillable, in my garden, but I've never been too rigorous about dead-heading.

My moonbeam finally petered out last summer, it's 3rd. This spring I dug & divided. Hopefully the babies will bloom like crazy.

I've had my Moonbeam for four years now. I LOVE it. It blooms from late spring until fall for me and I just keep on deadheading. I have started three other plants from this one just by taking cuttings off of the original plant :)

I absolutely LOVE coreopsis and I was very disapointed when the creme brule did not come back this year. I appreciate your input. I was very diligent with deadheading last year - as I was the prior year. I will cut back a little in late fall. But, to make up for the loss of the two I bought 2 new zagreb, 1 moonbeam, 2 heavens gate and 1 american dream! I am hoping that if I loose a plant next year there will be enough variety that it won't be as much of an impact as it was this year.

Does anyone have an opinion as to whether 'Moonbeam' or 'Creme Brulee' is prettier and/or more florifeous?

Creme Brulee is my abosolute favorite over my others: moonbeam, dwarf (also a good one, but too small), early sunrise, tequila sunrise, golden showers, and rosea. And that is exactly why I am visiting the forums today.

It is a LONG bloomer with wonderful color and leaves. I think it blooms about the same amount as moonbeam, but it is a lighter yellow and much taller & showier.

Here are a couple pics of my creme brulee last year.
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I have bought creme brulee every year since I started my garden in 2004. It never comes back, so I was double checking today to see if it was really hardy in my zone or not.

I have just thought of it as an annual and decided whether or not it brings me $6 (or $12 if I get 2!) worth of happiness every summer. Yes, so far, but now that I have done that for so many years, I am unsure.

I have never heard about about plants wearing themselves out, but I am not very well educated about these things, so it is a possibility. I certainly have no idea why mine never returned. Although this year oneof my two has a very weak growth of green leaves that may or may not make it.

Last year I bought the most beautiful pink coreopsis called sweet dreams. I never planted it because I didn't know where I wanted it and I killed it overwintering it in the house :(

sorry for the long post, hope it helps...

Wow, your Creme Brulee sure is pretty! I wonder, does your Moonbeam come back, or any of the others, or do none of your threadleaf coreopsis overwinter?

I have Moonbeam and it's great. It comes back even in my clay soil and blooms like crazy! It's a light and soft yellow, not dark or bright. It's gorgeous!

Smilie, your pics are beautiful. I plant Sweet Dreams every year, treat them like an annual because they never ever come back, and like you, I agree, $6 doesn't seem like a lot for the enjoyment they give. I used to get upset until I accepted that in my zone, they ARE annuals. And after seeing your pics, I'll be adding creme brulee to that list!

Pam

I have no idea why I can grow Sweet Dreams in my zone as a perennial! I think coreopsis does what it wants. It's an all or nothing kind of plant.