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Garden mum and Plains coreopsis: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Garden mum Chrysanthemum × morifolium	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Plains coreopsis Coreopsis tinctoria
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Garden hybrid of Chinese species	Canada to E. Mexico.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun	Full sun
Soil moisture
Moist, well-drained soil	Dry soil / Average moisture
Mature height
1–3 ft	2–4 ft
Mature spread
1–2 ft	12–18 in
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	2–11
Season of interest
Fall	Spring–Summer–Fall
Garden & wildlife value
Flowers can attract butterflies.	Native annual flowers offer nectar to a broad mix of bees, butterflies, and other insects.
Growing notes
Forms a flowering mound. Cultivars vary widely in flower shape, color, and winter survival.	An annual for well-drained soil that reseeds readily; listed only in a conservative part of its central native range.
Growing information	Growing information Native range: Kew

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.