Tickseed (Coreopsis)
[kor-ee-OP-sis]

About Tickseeds

Have a big blank sunny spot just waiting to be filled with color? Boy, do we have the plant for you.

Coreopsis, commonly known as “Tickseed,” is a sun-loving wonder. This plant will bloom for months and loves hot, dry weather. It has a unique structure: thin, airy stems with small leaves are uniformly topped with flowers, creating a mass of color atop a delicate green mound. This plant will spread slowly from season to season, but it is not considered invasive and can be divided and replanted if it grows too big for its space.

Many Coreopsis varieties are native to Illinois, and thrive in the hot, dry Illinois prairie, which explains why they’re so tough. 

Coreopsis flowers resemble daisies or other more “casual” blooms, so they bring a cottagy, wildflowery, whimsical vibe to the garden. Mostly yellow but available in reds, oranges, and pinks, Tickseed is just… a happy plant!

Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb', also called “Threadleaf Coreopsis,” has a feathery, “thready” leaf structure that almost resembles Dill or Cosmos. Small bright yellow flowers abound at the crown of this plant, topping the dense but delicate mound of foliage. 

Coreopsis lanceolata, or Lanceleaf Coreopsis, is an Illinois native and proves it with its toughness. This is one hardy plant! Yellow blooms appear in early summer and last for weeks, attracting native pollinators like a charm.  

Coreopsis palmata, or Stiff Tickseed, is native to Illinois and sports 2” bright yellow blooms atop 1.5-2.5 foot-high stems. This plant is a great choice for hot, dry, sunny spots, as it thrives naturally on the prairies of Illinois.

Pros

• Sun, heat, and drought tolerant
• Long bloom period
• Reliable, easy grower
• Deer resistant
• Attracts pollinators
• Make great cut flowers

Cons

• Plant remains healthier if blooms are sheared once they’ve died back
• May need dividing if it outgrows its space
• Will not bloom well in full shade

Plant Data

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