Common Name : Tickseed
Science-y Name : Coreopsis verticillata (specifically the zagreb variety)
A Few Other Varieties : C. grandiflora (grandiflora), C. verticillata (moonbeam), C. lanceolata (lanceleaf)
Native or Non : Many varieties of coreopsis are native to North America. The lanceolata is native to NH, though more commonly found in the wild than in a NH garden.
Characteristics : Zagreb and moonbeam are common varieties used in yards and gardens so let’s talk about their characteristics specifically.
An individual plant has a tall stem covered with thin needle shaped leaves. Acicular is the fancy word used to describe the leaf of a coreopsis. A single flower will grow from the top of a single stem. Flowers are usually yellow, but can come in other warm colors.
A single coreopsis is a delicate looking thing. So it’s good that they grow in groups, or clumps, to hold each other up! You are never (ok, very rarely) going to see a single coreopsis growing out of the ground. This flowering perennial could be described as communal, and it gives a garden a bit of a meadow-like appearance.
Coreopsis is a pro at self-seeding and spreading itself around. Looking at a clump of coreopsis you might think you are looking at one plant as the stems grow so closely together. From a distance it can have the appearance of a small, very full, flowering shrub. Because all of the flowers are on top, though, that is a visual giveaway that what you are looking at is more likely to be a flowering plant than a shrub.
The zagreb variety, which is often found in NH yards and gardens, does produce seeds, but spreads mainly through rhizomes. A rhizome is a continuously growing horizontal underground stem which puts out lateral shoots and roots at intervals where soil conditions are favorable to growth.
Coreopsis are a great filler for sunny spots with well draining soil. And the flowers are a bright spot throughout the summer.
Fun Fact : Despite the common name, coreopsis does not attract ticks. So don’t get nervous when considering a tickseed. The name was given to it by the Greeks and essentially means bug like. When the seed forms after the flower has bloomed it has a bug-like appearance sitting on top of the stem.
Care Considerations : Coreopsis are a great filler for sunny spots with well draining soil. With
proper deadheading it will flower multiple times bringing its bright yellow highlights to a yard throughout the summer. If your coreopsis isn’t flowering or growing in fully RAG Thyme gardeners will assess where it’s planted and see if there might be a better place for it in your garden. Coreopsis that have started to spread more than you want can be easily pulled or dug out to keep it from taking over an area. Getting the roots and rhizomes of the spreading plant out are important to help control the growth of the zagreb variety.
Contact us to get an estimate on RAG Thyme services for your yard and garden! We’ll help existing plants stay brilliant, or suggest alternatives with as much beauty and personality.
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