If you’re looking to add a burst of cheerful color to your garden, coreopsis – also known as tickseed – is a must-have perennial that ticks all the boxes. This low-maintenance, drought-tolerant native is beloved by gardeners and pollinators alike, with a long bloom season that can stretch from early summer through the first frost. What this really means is that coreopsis offers an effortless way to keep your yard vibrant and alive with color for months on end.
A Bloom-a-Thon for Your Garden
The beauty of coreopsis lies in its prolific flowering. As The Old Farmer’s Almanac explains, this perennial “flowers from early summer until fall frost.” Even as other summer blooms begin to fade, coreopsis is often still going strong, with countless small daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, red, pink, and more sitting atop its thin, branching stems. The bigger picture here is that coreopsis can deliver months of nonstop color to your garden beds, borders, and containers.
Carefree and Resilient
But coreopsis isn’t just a pretty face – it’s also incredibly easy to grow and maintain. As Birds & Blooms notes, this perennial “tolerates heat, humidity, and drought,” making it a perfect choice for gardeners in warm, dry climates. And when it comes to care, coreopsis is virtually carefree – just plant it in full sun, provide well-draining soil, and let it do its thing. “Mostly you can just leave it be until it turns brown in late fall and cut it to the ground for winter,” says Megan McConnell of Monrovia. “In spring, give it a dressing of compost and you’re good to go.”
A Magnet for Pollinators
Beyond its visual appeal and easy-care nature, coreopsis also has the added benefit of attracting all sorts of beneficial pollinators to your garden. Proven Winners notes that the flowers “are a rich nectar source for insect pollinators, while the seeds provide food for songbirds.” So by incorporating coreopsis into your landscape, you’re not just creating a vibrant display – you’re also supporting your local ecosystem and the vital pollinators that keep it thriving.
Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just starting to dabble in gardening, coreopsis is a true all-star that deserves a spot in your yard. With its easy-care nature, long-lasting blooms, and pollinator-friendly benefits, this cheerful perennial is poised to become a new garden staple across the country. So why not give it a try and let the coreopsis bloom brighten up your space this season?