Coreopsis, Lance-leaf

Coreopsis lanceolata

Also known as Lance-leaved Coreopsis, Lanceleaf Tickseed, Sand Coreopsis

Lanceleaf coreopsis is a charming wildflower from Texas. This delightful plant can reach up to 3 feet tall and thrives in prairies, meadows, fields, and along roadsides. Its beautiful solitary yellow flowers resemble cheerful daisies, featuring eight lovely yellow rays surrounding a flat, sunny center disk. The flowers bloom from spring to early summer, standing on slender, upright stems.

The leaves of this plant are narrow and lance-shaped, covered with tiny hairs, and typically cluster near the base in appealing tufts. The lower leaves are mostly entire, while the smaller ones may have a delicate, pinnately lobed appearance. The seeds of coreopsis plants are often endearingly referred to as lance-leaf tickseed, due to their resemblance to little ticks. Fortunately, there are many fantastic cultivars of this species available for garden lovers.

Caring for these plants is a breeze. They thrive happily in well-drained soil with dry to medium moisture and absolutely love full sun. They’re quite adaptable, flourishing in poor, sandy, or rocky soil with excellent drainage, and they can handle heat, humidity, and dry spells quite well. To keep them blooming beautifully and prevent self-seeding, it’s a good idea to deadhead the spent flower stalks. They self-seed generously and can naturalize beautifully to create large, vibrant colonies under ideal conditions. If the foliage starts to sprawl or looks a bit unruly, don’t hesitate to give the plant a good trim during summer. And if you have them in borders, remember to divide them every 2-3 years to keep them strong and healthy.