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Coreopsis verticillata 'Grandiflora' (Large-flowered Tickseed)
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© Rob Duval, some rights reserved (CC-BY-SA) · Wikimedia Commons

Coreopsis verticillata 'Grandiflora'

Large-flowered Tickseed

Eastern North America (Maryland to Florida, west to Arkansas)

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At a Glance

HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height18-24 inches (45-60 cm)
Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)
Maturity2 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Overview

Coreopsis verticillata 'Grandiflora' is a spreading herbaceous perennial reaching 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) tall and 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) wide. The cultivar carries daisy-like bright golden-yellow flowers 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) across with yellow ray florets and yellow disc centers from June through September — larger than the 1.5–2 inch (4–5 cm) flowers of C. verticillata 'Zagreb'. Leaves are deeply divided into thread-like needle-thin segments and form an airy fern-like mound. The plant spreads by underground rhizomes to form a gradually expanding colony; the spread can turn aggressive in rich moist soil, while lean poor soil slows the rhizomes and produces more compact growth with heavier flowering. Growth rate is moderate to fast. Regular deadheading extends the bloom season; without it, flowering slows by late August, and a hard cutback by one-half in mid-July produces fresh foliage plus a second fall flush. The cultivar is long-lived and reliable in well-drained soil. Division every 3–4 years controls spread and maintains vigor. The species is native to eastern North America and the genus name Coreopsis comes from the Greek koris + opsis, meaning 'bedbug-like' in reference to the shape of the seeds.

Native Range

The species Coreopsis verticillata is native to eastern North America, from Maryland south to Florida and west to Arkansas, on open woodlands, prairies, and roadsides with dry sandy soil. 'Grandiflora' was selected for larger flower size.

Suggested Uses

Used in borders, meadow gardens, and cottage gardens at 18–24 inch (45–60 cm) spacing. The thread-like foliage adds airy texture to mixed plantings, and mass plantings work as a groundcover on dry sites. Bright yellow flowers pair with blue and purple perennials. The cultivar grows in containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L). The rhizomatous spread fills gaps — not used in formal plantings where spread is unwanted.

How to Identify

Flowers are 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) across, larger than the 1.5–2 inch (4–5 cm) flowers of C. verticillata 'Zagreb'. Stature is 18–24 inches (45–60 cm), taller than 'Zagreb' at 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) and far shorter than the 4–8 foot (1.2–2.4 m) C. tripteris. Foliage is thread-like, versus the trifoliate (three-leaflet) leaves of C. tripteris. Flowers are solid yellow without a contrasting eye, separating the cultivar from bicolor selections such as 'Route 66'.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1'6" - 2'
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~13 weeks
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Bright golden-yellow daisy-like flowers 2–2.5 inches (5–6 cm) across open from June through September on current-season growth. Continuous bloom depends on regular deadheading; without it, flowering slows by late August. Bloom duration with deadheading is 12–14 weeks. A cutback by one-half in mid-July renews the plant for a fall flush.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Bright golden-yellow, daisy-like, 2-2.5 inches (5-6 cm) across, with yellow ray florets and yellow disc centers

Foliage Description

Medium green, deeply divided into thread-like needle-thin segments creating an airy fern-like texture

Growing 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun (6+ hours) in average to poor, well-drained soil. Lean soil slows the rhizomatous spread and produces more compact growth; rich moist soil accelerates the spread. Drought-tolerant once established. Regular deadheading maintains continuous bloom. A cutback by one-half in mid-July renews the mound if flowering slows. Division every 3–4 years controls the expanding colony and maintains vigor. No serious pest or disease problems.

Pruning

Regular deadheading runs through the bloom season. A cutback of the entire mound by one-half in mid-July produces fresh foliage and a fall flush if flowering slows. All stems are cut to the ground in late fall or early spring. Division every 3–4 years controls rhizomatous spread.

Pruning Schedule

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summer

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 3 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic