Tickseed (Coreopsis)
Photo by Matt Whitaker
Scientific Description: Tickseed – Coreopsis spp.- is a massive genus with many species and many cultivars and varieties within those species. It is a member of the Aster (Asteraceae) family, is perennial (sometimes annual), and native to all of the Americas; North, Central and South America.
Through using a series of varieties and cultivars, the homeowner can have blooming plants throughout the summer here in southeastern Tennessee.
The species and varieties that are most common in our area grow to various heights, from one foot to a little over four feet tall. The flowers are often golden yellow, but may show red, pink and white all with a mahogany throat, adding an interesting contrast to the color of the flower petals.
This series of plants is definitely low maintenance and tolerates drought conditions quite well.
This genus is easy to grow. Plant the new seedling approximately 12 inches apart in full sun. Also, you can spread the seeds in the early spring throughout an area of soil (without any amendments) with full sun and keep it moist while the seeds germinate and begin their growth. In addition, you can harvest the seed pods, dry them, place them in an envelope, and save them to seed another area next spring.
As flowers mature, dead-head (clip off) the spent blooms to stimulate the plant to grow more flowers.
Habitat Value: - While this genus is not intended for human consumption (it is a mildly toxic), it does attract many species of butterflies. It is avoided by deer and by rabbits. Many birds feed on the small seeds that are plentiful after the flowers have died.
Coreopsis provides a superb ground cover for yards as well as a cover for denuded or eroded areas.
Photo by Matt Whitaker
Landscape Value: By Matt Whitaker of WMWA Landscape Architects
Coreopsis is one of our most commonly used native genera in the garden. They are so common and mainstream many do not even think of them as native. There are more than ten species and perhaps two or three times that of cultivars/varieties commercially grown here and around the world. Except for C. verticillata, all of the species of Coreopsis are drought tolerant, and most can easily be over watered.
In general, most Coreopsis will tolerate all but the worst soil conditions. All are long bloomed, and blooming can be extended by deadheading. However, many birds enjoy their seeds, so you should let some blooms go to seed for enhanced bird watching opportunities. While yellow is the most common bloom color, a diverse spectrum of bloom colors is found in the species and cultivars. Coreopsis is easy to grow, requires at least a half day of sun but prefers more, needs good soil drainage, and has few disease problems.
Coreopsis’s scientific name is more commonly used by growers, gardeners, and the public than its common name of tickseed, perhaps because ticks have grown increasingly dangerous to us humans, and no one wants to imply a connection. Like so many plants’ common names, tickseed comes from the resemblance of the seed to ticks, not from any attraction to ticks by the plants. Future plant of the week posts will delve into specific species of Coreopsis.
