Prairie Coreopsis

Prairie Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata) is a beautiful, long-blooming wildflower that is especially useful for establishing in difficult areas with poor soils and dry conditions. Native to the Midwest, the plant begins blooming in late spring with showy pale-yellow flowers that attract a variety of native bees and sulphur butterflies.
Zones3 - 8
Advantages
bee-friendly
Bee Friendly
attract-butterflies
Attract Butterflies
hcg-deer-resistant-icon
Deer Resistant
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Native
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Great For Mass Plantings
multiplies--naturalizes
Multiplies / Naturalizes
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Easy To Grow
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Good For Cut Flowers
Light Requirements
full-sun
Full Sun
Water Tolerance
Low-Water
Mature Height 18-30" tall
Mature Spread12-18" wide
Bloom TimeLate spring to early summer
Shipping DetailsNow shipping to zone 10.
Other zones shipping soon.
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Item Package SizePlant - 2.5" Pot
SKUHC017884

USDA Hardiness Planting Zones

To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.

  • If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will survive the winter temperatures in your area.
  • If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).

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SKU
HC017884

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A beautiful long blooming wildflower, Prairie Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata) has unusual pale yellow flowers that start in late spring. Native to the Midwest, this tough yet beautiful species is especially valuable for poor soil and dry areas. Prairie Coreopsis is best used for planting in naturalistic gardens, wildflower meadows, and other sites where it can spread via underground rhizomes to form colonies of plants. The plant grows in a wide range of soil types, except heavy clay, and thrives in full sun. Once established, resist giving the plants too much water or fertilizer to prevent flopping, untidy plants. Recommended companion plants include ornamental grasses like Grama Grass (Bouteloua), Little Bluestem Grass (Schizachyrium), Blue Flax (Linum), and Penstemon.

More Information
SKUHC017884
Item Package Size
Plant - 2.5" Pot
Common Name
Prairie Coreopsis
Botanical Name
Coreopsis palmata
Zones
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Flower Color
Yellow
Mature Height
18-30" tall
Mature Spread
12-18" wide
Bloom Time
Late spring to early summer
Ships As
Potted Plant
Soil Type
Average Soil, Sandy Soil, Compost Enriched Garden Loam Soil, Well-Drained Soil
Soil Moisture
Waterwise
Advantages
Bee Friendly, Attract Butterflies, Deer Resistant, Native, Great For Mass Plantings, Multiplies / Naturalizes, Easy To Grow, Good For Cut Flowers
Ideal Region
Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, West, Southwest, Pacific Northwest, Coastal California
Planting Time
Spring / Summer, Fall
Neonicotinoid Free
Ships To Canada
No
Planting Guides

Tips For Growing Coreopsis (Tickseed)

Coreopsis (Tickseed) are long-blooming native wildflowers that are easy-to-grow and provide ample nectar for butterflies. They're resistant to browsing rabbits and deer. Coreopsis can be divided into two groups that have different growing requirements: Coreopsis grandiflora and Coreopsis verticiliata (Threadleaf Tickseed) cultivars and hybrids.

1. Coreopsis grandiflora types (Tickseed) - these cultivars are generally grown from seed and are a short-lived perennial (3 to 4 years).

Preferred growing conditions:

  • Needs sandy/gravely and sandy loam type soils. Avoid clay.
  • Does best with gravel mulches.
  • After their second growing season, only requires deep but infrequent watering. Too much water makes them floppy and shortens their lifespan.
  • Plant in full hot sun.
  • Adding just a few handfuls of compost and Yum Yum Mix in the planting hole is enough. Don't plant into a rich, highly-amended soil.

Special comments

  • Deadhead plants to prolong bloom. Leave a few seed pods on the plants to encourage re-seeding.

2. Coreopsis verticillata (Threadleaf tickseed) and hybrids - These are long-lived perennials that spread by rhizomes to form wide, dense growing clumps.

Preferred growing conditions:

  • These species grow in a wide range of soil types including clay. Avoid very alkaline soils as they may get chlorotic (yellow foliage) due to unavailability of iron and other trace minerals.
  • These plants don't need mulching except in hot climates.
  • These are moisture-loving perennials and do best in moderately moist soil conditions.
  • Plant in full sun areas.
  • They like compost-enriched soils at planting time.

Special comments

Threadleaf tickseed plants are often late to wake in spring from dormancy, so don't worry when other neighboring perennials wake up first.

Garden care for all types of Coreopsis:

  • Fertilize Coreopsis just once in fall with Yum Yum Mix and Planters II. In addition, for C. verticillata types, green sand is recommended for alkaline soils to correct or prevent chlorosis.
  • Plants can be divided in mid-spring when clumps die-out in the center or become too large for their place in the garden.
  • Leave all Coreopsis varieties standing over the winter and cut back to 1-2" inches above the soil in mid-spring when the plants begin to wake up.

View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
Shipping
ZoneShipping Status
Zone 2Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 3Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 4Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 5Shipping begins the week of May 1st, 2023
Zone 6Shipping begins the week of April 17th, 2023
Zone 7Shipping begins the week of April 3rd, 2023
Zone 8Shipping begins the week of April 3rd, 2023
Zone 9Shipping begins the week of April 3rd, 2023
Zone 10Now Shipping

As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and spring-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and spring-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennial and spring-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (800) 925-9387 or contact us by email.

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