Whorled tickseed
Coreopsis verticillata · Asteraceae
📷 Chrumps · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Whorled tickseed is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Type
- Perennial herb
- Foliage
- Deciduous to semi-evergreen
- Flowering
- June to September
- Mature height
- 40 to 60 cm
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Water needs
- Low, very hardy plant
- Hardiness
- Down to -20 °C
- Origin
- North America
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Coreopsis verticillata must stay dry in winter: drainage is essential. Pinch back stems at 10-15 cm in May to compact the plant and densify flowering.
The common mistake
Regular watering in winter rots the roots even in hardy climates.
The pro's trick
Divide every spring if you want more: this plant multiplies by simple dig-and-replant.
Care
Exposure
Whorled coreopsis demands full sun to express its full flowering potential. It adapts to partial shade but will flower less abundantly. Place it in a bright, airy location for a vigorous and compact plant.
Watering
This plant is very drought-resistant once established. Water regularly for the first three weeks after planting, then gradually space out watering. In summer, weekly watering is sufficient; virtually stop watering in winter.
Soil
Whorled coreopsis prefers well-drained, light, and rather poor soil. It tolerates sandy, stony, or chalky soils. Avoid overly rich or constantly humid soil that promotes rot and weakens the plant.
Pruning and cutting
Pinch back stems in May to encourage a compact, branched shape. Remove spent flowers regularly to extend flowering. In autumn, cut stems back to 10-15 cm from the ground after the first frosts, or wait until spring to clean up dead growth.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer is needed on properly prepared soil at planting time. Excess nitrogen encourages foliage at the expense of flowers. A very light application of balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient if the soil is poor.
Diseases and pests
Whorled coreopsis is very robust and rarely affected by pests. Powdery mildew may appear in case of excessive humidity or poor air circulation. Ensure good spacing between plants and water at the base to prevent fungal problems.
Did you know?
The name "Coreopsis" comes from ancient Greek and literally means "resembling a bedbug": the tiny seeds indeed recall the insect! Whorled coreopsis, native to prairies and rocky areas of North America, has successfully established itself in European dry and natural gardens thanks to its remarkable frugality.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.