Coreopsis plants, with their botanical name Coreopsis spp., and more widely known as tickseed, are native to North and Central America. To plant and grow Coreopsis is not difficult. So, no matter if you are an experienced or novice gardener, you can bring the colour your garden needs during summer with this low-maintenance plant. The blooms’ bright yellow, orange, or red colour will definitely be a show-stopper addition to your backyard.
There aren’t many restrictions when it comes to the soil type Coreopsis needs. From poor, sandy to rocky soils, the tickseed plant is not too pretentious. As long as the soil is kept well-drained, not many other conditions need to be met. This is one of the reasons why this is an excellent plant for beginner gardeners. Whether you plant it in pots or containers, in flower beds, or keep them in a vase, Coreopsis is a must-have.
Not only is Coreopsis a simple yet beautiful plant when its flowers are in bloom, but it can also be useful, as you can consume it as tea.
If you are interested in knowing more about tickseed, keep reading to discover interesting facts!
About Coreopsis
- Apart from being called tickseed because of the plant’s round seeds that resemble ticks, Coreopsis is also known as “pot of gold”.
- Coreopsis belongs to the Asteraceae family, alongside daisies, Liatris spicata or gayfeather, and coneflowers, which are herbaceous perennial plants as well. This is interesting to know, given that these plants’ flowers are not too similar.
- The plant’s scientific name comes from the Greek words “koris” meaning “bedbug,” and “opsis” which translates to “view”. This name and the tickseed nickname refer to the coreopsis seeds, which resemble bed bugs or ticks.
- Coreopsis has an entirely different meaning from its scientific one in the floral dictionary. The plant’s name means “always cheerful”. The coreopsis plant makes a wonderful gift with such a beautiful meaning and stunning flowers.
- Tickseed flowers attract various types of wildlife, such as bees and butterflies, to pollinate the plant. Interestingly, birds enjoy eating the coreopsis seeds.
- The ideal season for the coreopsis flowers to bloom is in June and will remain this way until the first frost hits.
- If you choose to dry the coreopsis plant, you can consume it as tea, which is known to be a beneficial and healthy body cleanser. The coreopsis tea is also a great coffee substitute.
Coreopsis Features: An Overview
- Usually, coreopsis plants are known for their golden and rich yellow flowers, which is why the plant is referred to as “pot of gold”. However, the tickseed flowers can come in red, orange, and light pink. The latter is typical for the coreopsis rosea species.
- When it comes to colour, a notable mention would also be the dual combination present in particular coreopsis flowers. Instead of one shade, these flowers have a contrasting dark tone in the middle and a light one on the rest of the petals.
- The coreopsis foliage can differ from one species to another, with large and showy leaves to narrow ones of a fine texture. With their bright-coloured flowers, coreopsis plants are utterly gorgeous.
- Coreopsis is a plant that can reach incredible heights. More specifically, a tickseed plant can grow 16 to even 48 inches (40 to 120 cm). Now, imagine how beautiful your garden would look in the summer with 20 or 40-inch Coreopsis planted in beds or containers.
Growing Coreopsis
Before you start growing Coreopsis, it is of the utmost importance to know that this plant needs full sun exposure. This crucial piece of information will help you search for a location where your tickseed plant can enjoy direct sunlight for at least six hours daily. Partial shade is not recommended, as it doesn’t help the growing process. However, a bit of shade in the afternoon won’t do it any harm. In fact, it could be beneficial for the coreopsis plant during hot summers.
You can begin growing tickseed in spring after there is no risk of winter frost. Hence, the ideal season is March, but you can sow the seeds in April as well. Coreopsis is a herbaceous perennial plant, regrowing every year during spring and blooming in the summer months. Coreopsis is also an annual plant, which means it completes its life cycle in a year.
If you want to grow annual Coreopsis, you should expect a broader colour range than the perennial counterpart, which mainly blooms yellow flowers. There are no differences when it comes to growing annual coreopsis plants. They also require full sun exposure and well-drained soil, and you can easily grow them both from seeds in spring after the last frost. Alternatively, you could grow Coreopsis inside, too, by sowing seeds around six weeks before the estimated last frost date.
- Long-lasting cut flowers: Lance-leaved coreopsis boasts eight yellow rays, making it an excellent choice for cut flower arrangements that stay vibrant for extended periods.
- Native to the U.S.: This perennial wildflower is indigenous to regions east of the Rockies, thriving in various open environments and soil types.
- Wide USDA zone range: Suitable for USDA zones 3 to 9, this wildflower grows between 18 to 30 inches tall, providing versatility in different climates and landscapes.
- Extended blooming period: With blooms from late spring into summer, Lance-leaved coreopsis reaches heights of one to three feet within its first year from seed, offering a prolonged display of vibrant flowers.
- Hardy and adaptable: Thriving in full sun and tolerating some shade, this plant is resilient against both moist and dry conditions, making it ideal for low-maintenance landscapes.
- Lance leaved coreopsis has eight yellow rays makes an excellent cut flower that is long lasting. Native to the U.S. east of the Rockies. It is found in open areas on a variety of soils.
- Grows in USDA zones 3 - 9 and an 18 - 30 inch tall perennial wildflower.
- It blooms late spring into summer and grows one to three feet in height from flower seed. Does well in full sun and can tolerate some shade in sandy soils. Lance leaved coreopsis is also known as Tickseed.
- It is a perennial found tolerant of either moist or dry conditions. Under ideal conditions this wildflower can bloom its first year. Deadhead to encourage rebloom and prevent self-sowing.
- Sowing Rate: 5 ounces per 1,000 square feet or 13 pounds per acre. If you want it to reseed, allow it to drop its wild flower seed for more new seedlings the following spring. It thrives on poor soils and is tolerant of heat, humidity, and drought.
- Dwarf Red Coreopsis should be started outdoors, but can be planted indoors and transplanted if it is done when it is still very small.
- A fall planting is possible when a mild winter follows. Any area that weathers strong winters must spring plant. This flower won’t tolerate heat and humidity and needs only average watering. Deadheading this flower will help to promote more full blooms. Plains Coreopsis can grow in many different variants of soil quality and content.
- These seeds will yield stunning & beautiful purple pedaled flowers. Perfect for cut flowers, makes beautiful center pieces for table! Conversation starter in your home flower garden!
- Cycle: Annual - Origin: Native - Height 18-24"
- USDA Zones: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11
Last update on 2024-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Planting Coreopsis
The coreopsis plant is easy to grow, plant, and maintain. The proper seasons to plant Coreopsis are spring, summer, or fall, depending on when you want the flowers to bloom. For a superb summer garden, you should plant it during spring, not later than June. If you decide to plant Coreopsis during summer, it is crucial to be careful about watering. This should be done until the plant is established.
Depending on the variety, the ideal space you should leave between each plant is 15 to 20 inches (40 to 50 cm). This will allow enough room between them, avoiding the foliage and flowers being overcrowded. The coreopsis seeds should be planted at about 1 or 2 inches deep in the ground. When planting, it is vital that the soil is kept moist to support the plant’s growth.
The ideal soil type for Coreopsis, or tickseed, is a well-drained loamy or sandy soil, with its pH in the 6.5 to 7.5 interval. Even though a fairly neutral soil is preferred, the good news about Coreopsis is that it isn’t the type of plant to be too particular about the soil type. As long as the soil is well-drained and moisture is maintained, Coreopsis can be planted in rocky, sandy, or clay soils, given the plant is drought tolerant when established. However, if you plant it in heavy soil, adding compost could be necessary. This method helps with drainage.
Watering Coreopsis
As mentioned earlier, Coreopsis is a drought-tolerant plant once it is established. However, watering should still be done fairly regularly to ensure that soil moisture is maintained and that the flowers bloom abundantly. If the soil dries out heavily, you should water the plant around an inch down in the soil. Sogginess should be avoided at all times, but moisture is highly important for Coreopsis to survive.
Coreopsis is a sun-loving herbaceous perennial that does best in moist yet well-drained soils, just like daisies or daylilies. The most suitable time to water Coreopsis is the morning before the sun is strongest. Do not forget that this is a plant that needs direct sunlight with a bit of shade permitted in the afternoon.
Propagating Coreopsis
You can propagate Coreopsis by seed, division, or cuttings. So, it is a matter of personal choice how you decide to propagate the plant. Any method you choose is fairly simple, so novice gardeners shouldn’t worry about this part. If you decide to propagate Coreopsis by seed, the same rules apply. You will need to sow the seeds in well-drained soil that meets the required moist conditions in a warm environment. It takes roughly two or three weeks for these seeds to germinate.
In order to divide the plant for propagation, a first noteworthy mention would be to do this during spring or early fall. An initial step is to dig up a clump from an already established coreopsis plant of a few years old. These mature plants have grown clumps of proper sizes, making them great to propagate. Be careful not to harm the root; this should be kept intact. With a gardening trowel, you can carefully split the clump and divide it into smaller sections, each containing its own roots, ready for planting.
The following steps are similar to planting Coreopsis for the first time. You need to choose a suitable location for the tickseed plant. This means a place with full sun exposure and well-drained soil. Until the propagated Coreopsis is established, it is necessary you water it regularly. The first signs of growth won’t be visible until several weeks later.
Last but not least, you can propagate Coreopsis from cutting. Cut a four to six-inch piece from a healthy stem, and remove its leaves, apart from the ones grown at the top. In a pot of perlite, plant the cutting and place this pot in a location where the plant can receive direct sunlight. It is crucial you maintain the soil moisture all the time. You can replant the Coreopsis once the roots have been established.
In Conclusion
For a wonderful garden in the summer, you should definitely start growing Coreopsis, an annual and perennial plant. Thanks to the tickseed plant being so low maintenance, it makes it an excellent choice for any individual who is still a newcomer to the gardening world. Coreopsis doesn’t have many complicated requirements, nor is it an intimidating plant. As long as it has full sun exposure and well-drained yet moist soil, it will grow to be a gorgeous flower plant in your summer garden.
If you have already planted Coreopsis in your backyard, let us know in the comments how the experience has been so far!
