Coreopsis leavenworthii
Leavenworth's tickseed
Florida and the southeastern United States
Overview
Coreopsis leavenworthii is an annual or short-lived perennial reaching 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) tall, with slender, branching stems. The lower leaves are lance-shaped to lobed, 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, becoming smaller and narrower up the stem. Flower heads are 0.75-1.25 inches (2-3 cm) across, with 6-10 yellow ray florets, each with a small notch at the tip, surrounding a dark reddish-brown disk. Bloom continues over a long season, heaviest in spring and summer but possible year-round in frost-free parts of Florida. Slender achenes follow and reseed readily. The plant is short-lived, often persisting only one or two years, but maintains stands through abundant self-seeding. It tolerates wet, seasonally flooded soils but is weak-stemmed and may flop in rich soil or shade.
Native Range
Native to Florida and adjacent areas of the southeastern United States, and designated the state wildflower of Florida. Grows in wet flatwoods, marsh and pond margins, ditches, and moist roadsides on damp, sandy or mucky soils.Suggested Uses
Sown in wildflower meadows, rain gardens, roadside plantings, and moist borders, broadcast or spaced about 12 inches (30 cm) apart. Suited to wet, sunny sites and naturalized plantings where self-seeding can continue. Grows in containers of at least 1 gallon (4 L) with steady moisture.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread8" - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Blooms over a long season, with peak flowering in spring and summer and scattered bloom year-round in frost-free areas of central and south Florida. Individual heads last 1-2 weeks; a planting flowers continuously for several months. Cooler temperatures in northern Florida concentrate bloom into the warmer months.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
yellow with dark centerFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun in moist to wet soil and tolerates seasonal flooding. Water to keep soil damp; the plant declines in prolonged dry soil. It self-seeds heavily, maintaining stands from year to year, and needs little care beyond allowing seed to drop. Rich soil and shade produce floppy, weak growth with fewer flowers. There are few serious pests, though aphids and leaf spot occur in humid conditions. Shearing after the main flush encourages a fresh round of bloom.Pruning
Shear or mow spent plants after the main bloom to promote reflowering and fresh growth. Leave some seed heads to ripen and drop for the next generation. Remove flopped or tired stems through the season to keep plantings open.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons
✓ Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Direct Sow Timing
Sow in fall or early spring in mild climates
Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Plant Spacing
12 inches