I think I may have bought the plant because of the name, Jethro Tull, a name that’s been stuck in the trivia section of my head forever. It’s likely I learned of the real Jethro Tull in a history class when I was in school — long enough ago to call that period of my life historical. He was the 17th-century agriculturalist who perfected a horse-drawn seed drill in 1700 that modernized farming of the day. Or maybe it was the 60s rock band by that name which I probably listened to and added to the trivia pile. They’re still around, and ironically, they have a song called “Living in the Past.” For whatever reason it’s so named, the more current Jethro Tull is a cultivated variety of coreopsis that is now growing nicely in my garden.

Coreopsis, common name tickseed, is a native North American plant. There are more than 70 species and one thing they all have in common is their daisylike flowers that are a source of nectar and pollen for all manner of insects. I don’t exactly have great swaths of this plant that would form an ecological niche for specific insects, but the few varieties I do have dotted around help keep the garden buzzing.

Most coreopsis are shades of yellow, but cultivars can have reddish-purple tones, even pink. I’ve had Coreopsis verticillata ‘Route 66’ for ages. It’s a bushy plant full of flowers that have a burgundy centre spilling out onto yellow petals. This one is vigorous and hardy, not surprising as it’s said to have been discovered growing (or hitching a ride) near Route 66 in Lucinda, Pa. I also have ‘Zagreb’, just as impressive, but with daisylike yellow flowers in a shorter, mounding form, and another called ‘Mercury Rising.’ It’s also lush and bushy with flowers the colour of a nice Merlot with an orange button in the centre.

Somewhere in the garden, there might be a Coreopsis rosea ‘American Dream’. It’s a pink variety and unlike other species of Coreopsis, it isn’t as tolerant of drought as it needs damp soil to thrive. I’m afraid I might not have given that one what it needed; however, the others are doing just fine.

Coreopsis verticillata are also known as thread-leaved coreopsis because of the delicate, finely textured foliage, attractive enough in its own right. They’re one of the longest flowering perennials, easy to grow and a good choice for the beginner. Plant them in a sunny spot, give them a light trim in midsummer and they’ll produce even more flowers.

Because they’re loved by bees and butterflies alike, and so easy, every garden should have coreopsis. Don’t be concerned about the common name tickseed. The plant does not attract ticks, nor does it repel them. It relates to the botanical name, Coreopsis, which comes from the Greek words koris meaning bug and opsis, referring to the shape of the seed which resembles a bug or tick.

As for ‘Jethro Tull,’ it was a natural cross between varieties from two other species, C. grandiflora, or large-flowered tickseed found in Eastern Canada, and C. auriculata, or mouse-ear coreopsis. Auriculatus refers to earlike lobes at the base of each leaf — I must check Jethro’s leaves for any signs of Mickey. Unlike the threadleaf varieties, the leaves are noticeably broader. It’s the flowers that are especially appealing. About the size of a toonie, they’re brilliant golden yellow with fluted petals that look like tiny ice-cream cones.

I must go sit in the garden with one while I catch up with an old rock band.

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