Currently bobbing beautifully along Ozark roadsides is the Missouri native, Coreopsis lanceolata. Commonly referred to as “tickseed coreopsis,” this perennial plant is a member of the aster family.
Tickseed coreopsis grows naturally in places like roadsides, railways, and glades from the Ozarks to the Missouri River. Coreopsis actually prefers poor soil. This plant can be grown in the garden landscape, but it needs excellent drainage and full sun.
Tickseed coreopsis plants reach about two feet in height. The flowers are about two-inches in diameter with yellow, overlap ping petals with jagged edges. The center is a dark yellow — almost orange — with a little black in the center.
The leaves of tickseed coreopsis are narrow, dark green and grow at the base of the plant. When in bloom, the flower blossoms grow on thin stems that wave above the green leaves.
Coreopsis bloom from April to June in Missouri, depending upon the gardening zone. In the garden landscape coreopsis will benefit from deadheading and will continue to blossom when the faded blossoms are removed.
The name coreopsis comes from the Greek word “resembling a bug,” which refers to the tiny, dark seed. Lanceolata refers to the “lance-shaped” leaves of the plant.
Coreopsis is a drought tolerant plant and will grow in a rock garden. There are several hybrid cultivars of coreopsis to consider for the garden landscape, too.
“Grandiflora” is a type of coreopsis that makes an excellent cut flower as well as a perennial plant for the garden. It is hardy in zones five through nine and blooms longer in cooler weather.
C. rosea is a pink coreopsis that is similar to the yellow coreopsis, except it has pink flowers with yellow centers. The pink variety is 12 to 15 inches tall, not drought-tolerant and will perform poorly if it dries out.
“Sunray” is a double variety with two-inch flowers reaching two feet in height.
Coreopsis does not require a lot of fertilizer. Too much fertilizer will make the plant “flop.” Root rot can occur in winter-wet soil. Rabbits may nibble on coreopsis, but there are no additional pests for the plant.
Gardeners may enjoy this drought tolerant plant in a water-wise garden space. Anyone can enjoy this plant while it blooms along our roadsides.
Questions or comments related to gardening? Contact Joleen at missourigardener@hotmail.com.