Jon's Ponds & Plants
Back to Shop
Adiamo Red Yellow Coreopsis — garden perennial

Adiamo Red Yellow Coreopsis

$6.0030 in stock

Coreopsis (Tickseed) Care Guide

Long-blooming, cheerful daisy flowers that thrive in heat, sun, and poor soil.

perennial full-sun drought-tolerant pollinator long-blooming

Overview

Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp.), also called Tickseed, is one of the longest-blooming perennials available, often flowering from late spring all the way through fall with minimal care. The Uptick series — Gold & Bronze and Red — features semi-double blooms with distinctive bicolor markings on compact, mounding plants. Native to North America and extremely adaptable.

Sun & Exposure

  • Ideal: Full sun (6+ hours daily)
  • Tolerated: Light shade, but flowering will be noticeably reduced
  • Thrives in hot, sunny conditions that stress other plants

Watering

Coreopsis is a true drought-tolerant perennial once established.

  • Water regularly during the first growing season to establish roots
  • Established plants need watering only during extended drought
  • Excellent drainage is important — will not tolerate wet feet

Soil & Planting

  • Tolerates poor, sandy, or rocky soils — thrives where other plants struggle
  • Does not require rich soil; too much fertility causes floppy growth
  • Plant in spring or fall; space 12–18 inches apart
  • Slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–7.0)

Fertilizing

Coreopsis rarely needs fertilizing. Rich soil or excess fertilizer leads to floppy plants with fewer flowers.

  • A light application of balanced fertilizer in early spring is sufficient if soil is very poor
  • Generally, no feeding is needed in average garden soil

Pruning & Deadheading

  • Deadhead regularly to keep plants blooming through the season
  • Shear plants back by one-third in midsummer if flowering slows — this triggers a flush of new blooms
  • Leave some seed heads in fall for goldfinches

Winter Care

Hardy in zones 4–9. Leave foliage in place over winter for some crown protection; cut back in early spring. May die out in very wet winters — good drainage is the best prevention.

Common Issues

Problem

Floppy stems

Cause

Too much shade or overly rich soil

Problem

Short bloom period

Cause

Needs deadheading or midsummer shearing

Problem

Crown rot

Cause

Poor drainage or overly wet soil

Problem

Short lifespan

Cause

Normal for some varieties; divide every 2–3 years

Tips

  • One of the most reliable perennials for hot, dry sites
  • Attracts bees, butterflies, and goldfinches
  • Excellent as a cut flower
  • Pairs beautifully with Echinacea, Rudbeckia, and ornamental grasses