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Full Sun
Container Gardens
Cut Flowers
Coreopsis
North and South America
Perennials
Herbaceous
3 - 9
Yellow, Pink, Red or Burgundy
Late spring to early fall
Upright, bushy, mounded
Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, birds, insects
Drought, Heat, Mild Frost
Deer, Pests, Disease, Heat
Tickseed (Coreopsis spp.) is a low-maintenance perennial known for its daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, red, and pink. With over 80 species, it offers diverse options for gardeners. The plant's foliage varies from broad green leaves to finer, thread-like leaves, and it emits an anise-like scent. Tickseed flowers bloom from early summer to frost and attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies.
Position tickseed in sunny borders, surrounded by the spiky forms of salvia or liatris, and tuck in ornamental grasses to create a pleasing contrast in textures. Place compact cultivars at the front of beds or in containers, and reserve taller varieties for naturalized plantings or cottage-style gardens. Consider pairing these long-blooming perennials with other pollinator favorites so their spent flowers can later serve as a food source for finches and other seed-loving birds.
| Type | Scientific Name | Native Range | Main Bloom Time | USDA Zones | Uses | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large-Flowered Tickseed | Coreopsis grandiflora | Central & Eastern U.S. | June – Aug. (can extend with dead-heading) | 4-9 | Borders, rock gardens, meadows, naturalizing, cut flower | Heat, drought, rabbit & deer tolerant; thrives in poor sandy/rocky soil; good vase life |
| Threadleaf Tickseed (Whorled) | Coreopsis verticillata | Eastern U.S. | June – Sept.; shearing prompts fall rebloom | 3-9 | Mass plantings, naturalized areas, dry borders, cottage & butterfly gardens | Handles heat, drought, deer; spreads, self-seeds |
| Tall Tickseed | Coreopsis tripteris | Central & Southeastern U.S. | July – Sept. | 3-8 | Prairie/meadow plantings, back-of-border, naturalizing | Impressive height; seeds feed birds; deer & drought tolerant |
| Swamp Tickseed | Coreopsis palustris | SE NC → N FL (wet sites) | Sept. (‘Summer Sunshine’ up to 6 wks) | 6-9 | Rain & pollinator gardens, moist borders, containers, pond/stream edges | Tolerates periodic flooding; late-season nectar source |
| Downy (Star) Tickseed | Coreopsis pubescens | S.E. & Central U.S. | June – Sept. | 6-9 | Borders, rock & native gardens, naturalizing on poor soils | Heat, humidity, drought & deer tolerant; long bloom; star-shaped bracts |
| Lanceleaf Tickseed | Coreopsis lanceolata | Much of North America (naturalized east) | May – July (dead-head for more) | 4-9 | Meadows, prairies, pollinator & native gardens, dry slopes | Very drought/heat tolerant; attracts butterflies; excellent for poor sandy or rocky soils |
Tickseed, or Coreopsis, grows best in full sun, with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Plant these perennials after the last spring frost in well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Initially, water generously every few days to establish the plants; once established, they tolerate drought well and need watering only during extended dry periods. Fertilization isn't typically necessary, but if blooms are small or sparse, a light application of a balanced NPK fertilizer in early spring can be beneficial.
Pruning tickseed involves cutting stems down to the ground in early spring before new growth begins. Deadheading spent blooms throughout the growing season encourages continuous flowering. For winter care, leaving some stems can help insulate the plant's crown; applying a 3 to 4-inch layer of mulch around the base provides additional root protection. When growing tickseed in containers, use pots at least 8 to 10 inches deep and wide with drainage holes, and place them in sunny locations.
Learn More About Tickseed Care
Give companions a bed that basks in full sun, drains freely yet never dries to powder, and receives an occasional soak to keep summer flowers coming. Smokebush rises behind the clumps, its hazy plumes and burgundy leaves supplying height and color long after coreopsis opens, while coneflower mirrors the daisy form so pollinators move seamlessly between discs. At ground level, daylily lends sturdy early blooms that bridge the season, and aromatic Russian sage threads silver-green foliage through the border, cooling the palette and luring beneficial insects all summer.
