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Coreopsis (core-ee-OP-sis)

Common Name:  Tickseed

Light:  - Full sun to part shade

Soil:  Average to rich, moist but well-drained

Moisture:  Average to dry for some, average to moist for others

Blooms:  Summer

Zones:  (3) 4 - 8 (9)

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Coreopsis 'Creme Brulee'

Coreopsis rosea 'American Dream'

Coreopsis Description and Cultural Information

Coreopsis auriculata, mouse-ear coreopsis. 1' - 2'. This is a small, spreading plant with 2" wide yellow-orange blooms above spoon shaped leaves in early spring. 'Nana' is a compact form. Zones 4 - 9.

Coreopsis grandiflora, common coreopsis, tickseed. 1' - 2'. This is a popular perennial for beginning gardeners, mainly because it is so easy to grow. There are several different cultivars which are all yellow and all similar. Plants may be short lived but tend to self-seed like crazy. 'Jethro Tull' PPAF is a hybrid with interesting fluted petals. Zones (3) 4 - 9.

Coreopsis lanceolata, lance-leaved coreopsis. 1' - 2'. Similar to C. grandiflora, lance-leaved coreopsis has some good cultivars such as 'Sunray', with double flowers, and 'Brown Eyes' with a brown ring in the center. Plants tend to be a little longer lived, too. Zones 3 - 8.

Coreopsis rosea, pink coreopsis. 18". This plant is covered with delicate pink flowers in midsummer above fine, needlelike foliage. They require a little more moisture than other coreopsis, especially in winter, and are not particularly heat tolerant. 'American Dream' is an improved selection that has shown more vigor and heat tolerance. 'Sweet Dreams' has light pink petals and a magenta pink eye . 'Heaven's Gate' is a sport of 'Sweet Dreams' with deeper pink petals and a rose-red eye. 'Sweet Dreams' is Zones 5 - 8.

Coreopsis verticillata, thread-leaf coreopsis. 1' - 3'. This species has a profusion of yellow flowers for a long time in summer on upright stems with thin foliage. It spreads to form large colonies, but is easy to control by division. 'Moonbeam' is a very popular variety with lemon yellow flowers. 'Sunbeam' PPAF is a variation of 'Moonbeam' with golden-yellow flowers. 'Golden Showers' is a tall, upright, golden yellow. 'Zagreb' is a compact variety of 'Golden Showers'. 'Heaven's Gate' is This species is definitely worth growing and it is also being used in combination with others to form some attractive hybrids such as the lemon yellow, long blooming plant called 'Creme Brulee'. Zones 3 - 9.

Coreopsis hybrids: Over the years there have been many Coreopsis hybrids introduced that are marginally hardy plants best for zones 7 to 10 which would need to be grown as annuals in Northern gardens. The first to hit the market was Coreopsis 'Limerock Ruby' which was a stunning summer long bloomer marketed as being zone 5 hardy, but growers and gardeners soon found out that it was zone 7 hardy at best, zone 6 with snow cover and protection. Since then many other hybrids have been introduced, such as those from Terra Nova Nurseries, which have stunning flower colors and several with bright golden yellow foliage, but again, they are not particularly winter hardy. While a few may be hardier than others, treat them as annuals for best appreciation.

How to Grow:  Plant coreopsis in average to rich, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Rosea coreopsis is the exception to most tickseed in that it will tolerate partial shade and requires constant moisture and cool temperatures for best performance. Soil that is too rich will cause most tickseeds to flop over. Deadheading can encourage reblooming and help prevent common coreopsis from self seeding and taking over your neighborhood.

Landscape uses:  Coreopsis is a great plant in the informal garden. Plant it with asters, iris, Gaillardia, Echinacea, phlox, and shasta daisies. 'Moonbeam' coreopsis works well in the average to moist border with purple perennials such as Salvia, Liatris, balloon flower (Platycodon), or Stokesia.

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