The Coreopsis (koh-ree-op-sis) or Tickseed is a member of the daisy family. The botanical name comes from the Greek koris, for bug and opsis for the seed’s resemblance to ticks. Tickseed, the common name, is beloved for its foliage as much as the wide variety of flowers. The Tickseed is a sun-loving plant that tolerates just about any soil condition as long as the soil drains well.
There are more than 100 different species of the Coreopsis. Some of the plants are compact, while others sprawl. The intended area of planting will determine which variety to choose. Tickseed is a great plant for developing a wildlife habitat since it provides food for butterflies and certain birds, as well as shelter for birds and other small animals.
Tickseed is bushy, usually growing in clumps or mounds. Most reach a height of two feet on average, but some varieties grow as tall as six feet. There are hybrid dwarf varieties that make excellent potted-plant gifts or that work well in container plantings. The Coreopsis Nana grows just two to four inches tall.
Most flowers can be defined by one of three categories – annuals, perennials or bulbs. Coreopsis is a perennial, a flower that dies back to the ground in fall and returns again in the spring, anew. Many perennials need regular dividing and replanting to keep the plant healthy and blooming as well as it should. Some colder zones are able to grow Coreopsis as an annual. This means that the winters are too harsh for the plant to survive, so it must be replanted every year; it will not come back on its own. Tickseed should be cut back to within two inches of the ground after it finishes blooming in the fall.
Plant Tickseed in flower beds, in borders, with wildflowers in fields and in rock gardens. The cut flowers remain fresh and lovely for many days by changing the water in the vase daily. Each plant will bloom profusely throughout the summer months when spent flowers are removed regularly.
Planting Tickseed:
Seeds> The center of the flower, shaped like a button or small cone, is actually the development of seeds. All living plants must bear seeds to propagate. This is why removing spent flowers encourages more blooms. The plant is ensuring more seed in order to survive. Till the soil until the top 15 inches is easily workable. Mix in two or three layers of compost. Carefully place two or three seeds two feet apart – depends upon the variety used – and cover with a half-inch of worked soil. Rows should be two feet apart, closer if planting a variety with a shorter spread. The seed can also be broadcast over a prepared bed and thinned after plants are four to five inches tall.
Dividing> Strong perennials like the Tickseed benefit from dividing every three or four years. Dividing is usually done in the fall when cool temperatures promote new root development. A mature plant is dug up and each section with its own root system is pulled apart. Some of the plants can be replanted in the same bed and others can be used to start a new bed or given away to friends and family. Once the divisions have been planted, water is critical for their survival. Unless there is ample rainfall, water daily until a strong root system has developed.
Self-sowing> If the plants are left undisturbed, that is to say, they are not dead-headed, the seeds will fall to the ground and germinate the next spring. This will soon make the flower bed crowded. To prevent this, remove the spent flowers, called dead-heading a plant. Spent flowers can be thoroughly dried and the seeds planted or kept sealed from moisture for later planting. The Coreopsis usually lives three to four years before dying out.
Zones> Zones are established according to winter weather. The Continental United States is divided into eight planting zones, with Hawaii and Alaska making up the ninth and tenth zones. If a plant will not survive the winter in a specified area, then it will be zoned below that point. These zones are known as the Plant Hardiness Zones, which can be found in nearly all gardening books and magazines, as well as seed catalogs. Some Tickseed varieties will grow in one or more zones and not in others. A few varieties will grow in nearly all zones. Knowing if a plant will survive the winter where you live will save time and money.
Coreopsis blooms from June until fall unless otherwise noted. The flowers are shades of yellow with a lighter or darker ring or eye near the center where the seeds are formed. These flowers have few pests and diseases, although some varieties do get powdery mildew, a disease that makes the foliage unattractive with a white powdery deposit. Coreopsis needs little to no fertilizer to produce masses of flowers all season. Once established, no water is needed unless there has been no rainfall for several weeks.
Varieties:
1. American Dream bears pink flowers with yellow eyes – ring around the center, which bears the seeds – in zones five through seven. This variety grows on threadleaf foliage up to 12 inches tall with a 12-inch spread.
2. Autumn Blush is a hybrid variety with a yellow/peach flower and a dark gold eye. It grows in zones five through nine at a height and spread of two feet.
3. Baby Sun has lanceleaf foliage that bears dark yellow flowers with yellow – tinged with red – eyes. This Tickseed grows 16 inches by 16 inches in zones five through ten.
4. Coreopsis Big Bang is different in that the flowers are burgundy-red with yellow-tipped petals and a gold eye. This variety grows June through October, reaching a height of 15 inches and a 15-inch spread.
5. Creme Brulee or Longstalk Tickseed bears pale yellow flowers in zone three through nine. Creme Brulee is 20 inches to two feet tall and spreads over three feet wide.
6. Domino is a lanceleaf Coreopsis that grows in zones six through ten bearing yellow flowers with brown eyes. Domino grows up to 15 inches tall and spreads about 18 inches.
7. Dream Catcher grows in zones six through nine and bears deep pink flowers with almost purple eyes. The foliage is threadleaf, growing up to 18 inches and spreading up to two feet.
8. Full Moon is a variety that differs in flower size. This hybrid bears pale yellow flowers that reach three inches across. Full Moon grows in zones five through nine. The height of Full Moon is around 30 inches and it spreads from 12 to 18 inches.
9. Golden Gain grows in zones four through nine, but blooms in just two months, June and July. The flowers are yellow on a plant that reaches two feet in height and spreads up to 18 inches.
10. Jethro Tull grows in zones four through nine bearing fluted yellow flowers on plants 18 inches tall by 18 inches wide.
11. Little Sundial bears dark yellow flowers with maroon eyes. It grows only six to 12 inches tall and spreads eight to 14 inches across. This makes a good container plant or a walkway border.
12. Moonbeam is a threadleaf Coreopsis bearing cream-colored flowers in zones three through ten. The plant is usually two feet tall and spreads 18 inches.
13. Pinwheel grows in zones five through nine bearing light yellow flowers shaped like pinwheels. The lacy foliage is a deep green with a tinge of blue. It grows two feet tall and spreads almost three feet.
14. Red Shift bears yellow flowers with a red eye around a gold center. The red appears to shift to the petals as the flower ages. Red Shift can be found in zones five through nine.
15. Rosea grows on threadleaf foliage, bearing deep pink flowers with pink eyes in zones six through nine. The plant grows 16 inches tall and spreads 18 inches.
16. Sienna Sunset can be found in zones five through nine bearing golden-orange flowers on stems 20 inches tall and spreading 35 inches.
17. Tequila Sunrise has olive-green foliage with variegated cream and yellow flowers, as well as yellow and orange. Growing up to 16 inches and spreading 24, this Tickseed is found in zones six through ten.
18. Zagreb is threadleaf with yellow flowers. It reaches a height of 16 inches and spreads 16 inches.
Information on planting was found in Gardening Essentials by Barbara Pleasant. The page heading is Dividing, with a sub-head of Dividing Perennials on pages 162 through 163.
Other sources: Garden.org
Dayton Nursery.com
