Noah's Mommy,
I don't know why Moonbeam Coreopsis wouldn't grow in California, but as I recall from my traveling days, there are many varying climates in California--not sure if they would weather the drier places.. - they are perennials here, so apparently they handle harsh winters and come back fine....I do water all plants daily when there is no rain.

I learned yesterday that these also come in a variety of colors, pink, whites, purple, variegated.....now I'm on a hunt! I just love the look - they are what my spouse calls "the happy plants" - the little flowers almost look "suspended" in mid air and shimmer in a breeze...like they are giggling.

I've never let Ritz out (ok, there was that one time she snuck out and hid under the deck just out of reach, returning filthy, but obviously VERY pleased with herself). I know she is just obsessed with the outdoors and can't understand why we can go out and she can't!