Meet the Lanceleaf Coreopsis
Lanceleaf Coreopsis | Coreopsis lanceolata
How do you know it’s me?:
Also called Tickseed, I am a small herbaceous perennial, and I grow in clumps.
My flowers (1”- 3” across in size) are balanced atop long, smooth, slender stems.
I have long, narrow leaves (lance-like, like my name) bunched around the bottom half of my stems. These leaves are usually opposite, sometimes alternate.
Sometimes, my long leaves have deep lateral lobes, like little side wings.
I have yellow flower centers, and have lobed or toothed edges to my petals, giving me a frayed look.
How big do I grow?: 1’ - 3’ height and 1’ - 2’ spread.
Sun-seeker or shade-lover: Full sun, though I can tolerate part shade.
Where I prefer to put my roots: Well-draining soil. I am somewhat drought tolerant.
Hardiness: Zone 4-9
Original home: I am native to the southeastern and midwestern US.
Colors: Yellow flowers (typically), though some are closer to orange. Some cultivars have reddish-maroon flower centers.
When I bloom: Late spring to late summer.
Wildlife friends: Bees and butterflies love my nectar, small birds love my seeds.
Flora Fun Facts: My bright flowers are a symbol of cheerfulness and joy.
More Info: These cheerful little blooms are much more than their unfortunate title of "Tickseed," which - regrettably - inspires a skin-crawling sensation rather than feelings of joy. This plant is known for its long blooming season and its moderate resilience to heat and drought. With textured, shaggy yellow heads poking up among contrasting deep green foliage, these little lions create eye-catching pops of yellow.
A member of the Aster family (Asteraceae).
Though not usually medicinally used today, Native Americans used this coreopsis to treat a variety of illnesses, including intestinal issues and infections.
Can self-seed and spread easily. Dead-heading the spent blooms can help prevent this, but would deny birds of a food source.
This perennial was named for the seed's resemblance to small bugs (like ticks).
While not often the garden spotlight plant, this perennial does well in and edge or border planting, perennial garden, meadow planting, and/or pollinator garden.
