Coreopsis grandiflora
Large-flowered tickseed
Common names: Tickseed, Coreopsis
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Pot size
- from 10 l
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Flowering
- Jun–Oct
- Hardiness
- Hardy
Photo: Alois Lunzer (1840-?) · Public Domain · Source
Description
The plant produces bright yellow basket‑like flowers from June through autumn, perched on slender stems above lush green foliage. Native to North America, it is a hardy, low‑maintenance addition to beds and borders. Bees and butterflies are attracted, making it a valuable component of naturalistic gardens. Cultivars such as ‘Sunray’ and ‘Early Sunrise’ offer fuller blooms and a particularly compact growth habit.
Care instructions
Plant in full sun on well‑drained, not overly fertile soil. Regular deadheading of spent flowers extends the blooming period and keeps the plant compact. Water moderately; the plant dislikes waterlogged soil but tolerates brief dry spells well. Cut back to ground level in late autumn or early spring; seed heads provide winter food for birds. Divide every three to four years in spring to maintain vigor and flowering.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
FloweringJun–Oct
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, sandy, dry, lean
Large-flowered tickseed likes well-drained, moderately nutrient-rich soil and copes well with dry spells. On heavy, waterlogged soils the plant rots easily, so adding sand or gravel to loosen the soil is a good idea. A sunny spot with loose substrate produces the most abundant flowering.
Feeding
Light feeder
Large-flowered tickseed does very well on lean to moderately nutrient-rich soil and needs practically no feeding. Too many nutrients mainly encourage soft green growth and make the plant flop over instead of promoting flowers. A helping of compost in spring is entirely enough as a starter.
Overwintering
Large-flowered tickseed is hardy, but in winter it above all likes dry feet. Do not cut the plant back too hard in autumn, because the stems protect the crown from frost. A layer of mulch made of leaves or brushwood helps further, especially on heavier soils.
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
- Division
- Cuttings
Sowing works from mid-April · week 16 directly outdoors, or from March started indoors on a windowsill. Division in spring is worthwhile every 3 to 4 years: it keeps the clumps vigorous and gives you new plants for other beds right away. Tip cuttings in early summer also root reliably if you keep them moist in a shady spot until they show roots.
Companion planting
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
For your garden
Grow Large-flowered tickseed yourself
Gartenkern tells you when frost is coming, when to sow and when to harvest, for your location.
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