By Julie Christensen
Tickseed(Coreopsis)is the kind of perennial every gardener wishes for . These low-pitched - maintenance plant life usually form in well - behaved clumps , tolerate a all-encompassing range of conditions and brighten the garden from summertime to fall .
unwashed tickseed has yellowish to orange flush , many with threefold petals . Some varieties , such as ‘ Goldfinch , ’ are compact , growing 12 inches or less , while others , including ‘ Baby Sun , ’ grow 24 inches magniloquent . These plant have amphioxus - shaped immature leaf and the flowers appear above sylphlike stalks . Another variety , threadleaf coreopsis ( C. verticillata ) has light , airy foliage and minor , more touchy heyday . It develop between 18 and 24 inches tall .
Growing Coreopsis
Most gardeners startle tickseed from baby’s room transplanting or divisions , but the plants get readily from seed , as well . Sow them out of doors in spring or strike and cover them with only the lightest layer of soil . Keep in mind that some tickweed hybrid varieties are uninventive or will not grow reliable to sow .
Plant coreopsis in slightly moist , well - draining land in full Sunday . Threadleaf varieties tolerate light shade , but most coreopsis varieties grow good in sun . Mulch the plant with 2 inch of organic mulch , such as woodwind chip , to keep up moisture and thin weed growth . Remove fleet blossom and cut coreopsis back midsummer if it becomes straggly .
Once established , coreopsis tolerates dry land , but piddle it hebdomadally during ironic weather condition for better blooms . Fertilize tick-weed in the spring with an all - purpose flora fertilizer . As coreopsis matures , you might detect slowing growth . from time to time , the centers of the flora might even set about to give out out . If this happens , dig up the coreopsis industrial plant in the spring and divide it . Replant the two parts , space them 30 column inch aside , to restore its growth . reduce coreopsis back in former fall to 2 inches above the basis .
Pests and Disease
Coreopsis is fairly resistant to pesterer and disease , but you might notice folio position or powdery mildew , especially in humid weather . To battle these problem , works coreopsis so air circle freely and choose for drip irrigation , rather than overhead sprinkler , since wet leave of absence spread out disease . Remove any morbid plant life material and toss out it . Hand pick and destruct slugs and snail . Coreopsis is rarely trouble by deer , according to Rutgers University Cooperative Extension .
Varieties of Coreopsis to Consider
tick-weed lanceolata is the type most the great unwashed are intimate with . It grows in chunk and produces lancet green folio . A few to try include :
Coreopsis verticillata , or threadleaf coreopsis , is lesser known , but still deserves a place in your garden . These plants have interesting foliage and a light , visionary mannequin . see :
If you ’d like to learn more about tickseed , chitchat the follow sites :
Coreopsisfrom the National Gardening Association
Coreopsis Lanceleaffrom Cornell University Home Gardening
Deadheading Coreopsis(video ) from The Iowa Gardener
When she ’s not compose about gardening , food and canning , Julie Christensen relish spending clock time in her gardens , which includes perennials , vegetables and yield tree . She ’s written hundreds of gardening article for the Gardening Channel , Garden Guides and San Francisco Gate , as well as several e - Good Book .
