by Kimberley A. Willis

Created on: August 26, 2009   Last Updated: August 31, 2009

Growing Coreopsis- Carefree, Colorful Tickseed

For long lasting color in the garden there are few perennial plants easier to grow than coreopsis. Coreopsis loves sunny, hot conditions and will bloom its heart out through the middle of the hottest summers. The bright gold of native species of coreopsis has been altered by plant breeders into several muted and pastel shades that make coreopsis fit into any garden color scheme.

There are several native American species of coreopsis and many hybrids of the species.

All are members of the daisy family and the flowers have the familiar daisy look. Some coreopsis flowers are single and some are double, ranging from 1-2 inches wide. Coreopsis grandiflora and Coreopsis lanceolata have long, lance shaped leaves and Coreopsis verticillata has fine fern-like leaves. Most coreopsis colors are shades of yellow, although there are pink shades and at least one white coreopsis available. Some varieties have a contrasting color in the center. The common name of Tickseed refers to the tiny seeds the flowers produce, which resemble ticks. Most varieties of coreopsis are perennials that are hardy from zones 3-9. C. grandiflora and some of the hybrids using this species are only reliably hardy to zone 7 and behave like bi-annuals instead of true perennials. Birds love the seeds, but if allowed to go to seed coreopsis may spread through the garden.

Growing Coreopsis

There are many varieties of coreopsis seed available to gardeners. Start the seeds indoors about 8 -10 weeks before your last frost in a cool, [60 degrees], and bright place. Coreopsis seed needs light to germinate so just press it lightly down on the seed-starting medium. The seed may germinate in as little as 5 days. Coreopsis seeds can also be sown outside where you want the plants to grow in the fall or spring. Plants grown indoors can be hardened off and set outside while the ground is still cool and will withstand light frost. If started early or the fall before, coreopsis may bloom the first summer. Coreopsis plants are available in most nurseries for those gardeners who don't care to grow their own.

Coreopsis needs full sun. They are not fussy about soil and will grow well where the soil is relatively poor. Although coreopsis is drought tolerant when established, new plants should be watered frequently. Don't over fertilize coreopsis or you will get lots of foliage and few blooms. If your soil is sandy or very poor an application of slow release fertilizer

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