Common Coreopsis: How to Grow and Care for Coreopsis

Coreopsis has more than 80 species and is valued for its summer-long golden yellow blooms and its low-maintenance qualities. Also known as tickseed, that common name comes from the seeds' supposed resemblance to ticks.

Coreopsis features cheerful flowers that rise on tall stems above narrow green leaves; single- and double-flowering types are both available.

This short-lived perennial lasts about two to three years in Southern gardens and about four years in the North.

About Coreopsis

Botanical Name: Coreopsis grandiflora
Common Name: Tickseed
Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Size: Grows 1.5 feet to 2.5 feet tall and 1 to 1.5 feet wide
Sun: Full sun
Water: Dry to medium, drought-tolerant
Bloom Time: Late spring to summer
USDA Zone: Zones 4 to 9
Maintenance: Low
Special Features: Deer resistant and attracts birds, butterflied and bees

How to Grow Coreopsis

Soil

Coreopsis can be grown in moist, well-draining soil. It also does well in dry, rocky and sandy soils.

Light

Plant in full sun but in areas with intense heat, coreopsis may do better with some afternoon shade.

Pruning

Coreopsis must be deadheaded to promote reblooming, but it's well worth the extra effort. Cut back to the base of the flower stem so as to remove unsightly flowerless stems.

Fertilizer

Coreopsis do not require fertilizer to bloom and thrive, though adding compost in the spring will keep the plants healthy.

Propagation

Propagated through seed or division. May self-sow in warmer areas.

Pests and Disease

Coreopsis has no problems with pests or diseases, but may have problems with mildew, especially in coastal areas or areas with high humidity. Deadheading spent flowers helps with disease prevention and invasive self-seeding.

Bloom Time

Blooms from late spring to summer.

Size

Plant size ranges from one to two feet tall and two feet wide.

How to Use Coreopsis in the Landscape

• In masses (use at least three or five plants in a grouping)
• As a specimen plant.
• Use it in a sunny, mixed perennial border.
• Coreopsis does well in containers.
• Good contrast to bold-textured foliage plants, such as canna.
• Cut flower garden

Special notes: Attracts wildlife, including butterflies. Drought and heat tolerant.

Types of Coreopsis

Coreopsis grandiflora 'Early Sunrise' — 'Early Sunrise' is a semi-double flowering cultivar that features yellow blooms earlier in the season. It's easily grown from seed and grows to 18 inches tall. Bloom colors range from all shades of yellow, to orange, red and maroon.

Coreopsis grandiflora 'Sunray' — Double-flowering selection that has a compact habit and a long bloom time (two to three months). Plant size is about two feet tall and wide.

Coreopsis 'Red Shift' — This coreopsis, part of the Big Bang series, is a chameleon. Its flowers are yellow with darker yellow/red centers throughout summer, but when fall comes and temperatures drop, the same flowers turn beautiful shades of red. It is a great accent in the front of a cottage garden. 'Red Shift' is hardy to USDA Zone 5.

Coreopsis grandiflora 'Presto' — This coreopsis is a native plant, which means it's a snap to grow once it's established. 'Presto' improves upon the true native with 2-inch-wide blooms that are semi- or fully double and make terrific additions to bouquets. Butterflies will definitely visit this perennial, which is hardy in Zones 4 to 9.

Coreopsis lanceolata — Lanceleaf coreopsis is a North American native perennial with golden blooms that open from summer into fall. It's attractive to bees and flourishes in meadows with full sun to part shade, taking dry to average soils. In Zones 3 to 8, it reaches 18 to 36 inches tall.

Coreopsis verticillata 'Moonbeam' — This all-around great perennial has creamy lemon-yellow flowers with lacy, fine-textured foliage. It reaches two feet tall, and is drought tolerant and low maintenance.

Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' — Bright yellow flowers are showy on the delicate fine foliage. Surges throughout the summer.

Be advised: Cultivars like 'Moonbeam', are difficult to propagate through seed.