A perennial stalwart for the garden is Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.) in the Asteraceae family. They form 1-2 foot mounds that are easy to grow in fall or spring. An added bonus is that most are deer resistant, cold and heat tolerant, and xeric once established.

There are many species to choose from since they are adaptable to most Colorado soils, and several are native plants in the West. They bloom from June to September, with some blooming into October.