Meet the Whorled Tickseed
Whorled Tickseed | Anacis verticillata
How do you know it’s me?:
I am a small herbaceous perennial that grows in dense clumps.
My flowers have many petals that radiate around a yellow center.
My leaves are considered compound leaves. They are made up of long and narrow “leaflets.”
My leaves whorl around my smooth stems.
How big do I grow?: 2’ - 3’ height and 1’ - 2’ spread.
Sun-seeker or shade-lover: Full sun to part shade.
Where I prefer to put my roots: I prefer sandy and rocky soils and am very tolerant of drought. Too much moisture or soil richness may cause my stems to flop.
Hardiness: Zone 3-9
Original home: I am native to the eastern United States and Canada.
Colors: Yellow blooms.
When I bloom: Summer into fall.
Wildlife friends: Butterflies and other pollinators will enjoy my flowers, and birds will eat my seeds.
Flora Fun Facts: Giving me a haircut in mid-summer will spur growth and better fall blooming.
More Info: This is a tough native plant that has an interesting, lace-like leaf texture. It blooms for a long time, and despite its fragile appearance, it thrives in poor, dry soils and can handle heat. It’s a low-maintenance favorite for tough spots.
A member of the daisy family (Asteraceae).
This plant will spread after a couple of years, from root rhizomes and seed drop.
Up until recently, this plant had the Latin name Coreopsis verticillata. Also goes by the common names of “Threadleaf Coreopsis” and “Threadleaf Tickseed.”
It is difficult to find the straight species in garden centers, but there are many cultivars available for variety in flower color and mature size. Some cultivars offer pink or orange-y flowers.
This native plant blooms for a few months, adding bright color (and textural interest) to a butterfly garden, rock garden, meadow planting, or native garden.
