Whorled tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata) is a flowering tickseed plant species that grows in North America, specifically throughout the eastern United States. Whorled tickseed grows in thin woodland areas and can withstand harsh weather conditions. In horticulture, whorled tickseed are often grown in hanging baskets and containers. They attract butterflies.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Coreopsis verticillata is a North American species of tickseed in the sunflower family. It is found primarily in the east-central United States, from Maryland south to Georgia, with isolated populations as far west as Oklahoma and as far north as Québec and Ontario. The common names are whorled tickseed, whorled coreopsis, thread-leaved tickseed, thread leaf coreopsis, and pot-of-gold.
Coreopsis verticillata is an herbaceous perennial that grows 2–3 ft (1–1 m) tall and about 2 ft (1m) wide, although as it spreads laterally by rhizomes, this width can be exceeded. The stems are wiry. The flower heads are up to 2 in (51 mm) across, and both the disc florets and ray florets are bright yellow. The flowers are produced abundantly in clusters from midsummer to fall.
Coreopsis verticillata can commonly be found in dry, thin woods and open pinelands, preferring sites with full sun exposure. It can tolerate drought, poor soil, extreme heat, and neglect.
Coreopsis verticillata and its horticultural cultivars are not difficult to grow and hence make good starter plants for beginning gardeners in the U.S. They have a long flowering season and are relatively free from pests and diseases. They attract butterflies and are deer resistant. They can be grown in hanging baskets and containers (where irrigation will be necessary), or as border plants.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Whorled tickseed requires sufficient sunlight and prefers direct sunlight, so it is good for sunny gardens or balconies. To grow indoors, at least 6 hours of sunlight is needed. For maximum blooming, over 12 hours of sunlight is best.
Whorled tickseed can survive in partially-shaded environments. However, excessive shade can result in decreased photosynthetic rate, slow growth rate, produce thin, weak stems, difficulty in branching, and fewer flowers. Your plant will be healthier in a bright place.
Temperature
Whorled tickseed grows on grasslands or plains with a very dry environment. It likes a warm and dry growing environment, though it tolerates occasional wet weather. It grows best between 10 to 30 ℃. Cold temperatures result in slow growth. Sufficient water is required during germination, but adult plants have no special requirement for humidity.
Watering
Keep the soil slightly moist but without accumulated water until it grows into an adult plant. After that, whorled tickseed will be very drought-tolerant. It can be watered once a week, which helps grow new roots. Keep the soil moist to a depth of 2.5 cm when checked with fingers. Excessive water causes spindling.
It is best to water whorled tickseed in the morning so the leaves are kept dry during the day. This prevents sunburn and bacteria growth. Use rainwater or distilled water rather than tap water. Tap water contains a lot of calcium, magnesium, and other mineral salts, and long-term use tends to cause soil compaction and poor air permeability, causing poor growth.
Soil
Moonbeam coreopsis plants prefer well-drained soil. They are clay-tolerant, but they will truly thrive in a loamy soil.
Fertilizing
There is basically no need for fertilizer. In fact, excessive fertilizer inhibits blooming. If the soil is good, just add some NPK fertilizer or organic fertilizer in spring.
Planting Instructions
Plant whorled tickseed in spring or fall; in subsequent years, rely on natural seeding. Its natural seeding range is 30 to 61 cm, and its lifespan is three to five years. When it starts to bloom less, its life is ending, and it should be replaced with new plants. Sow indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost. The germination temperature should be 16 to 25 ℃.
During germination, the medium should be kept moist and the air humidity should be kept at 90%-95%, and then gradually reduced after germination. Germination takes four to six days. When two or three true leaves grow out, transplant to a garden or pot. After transplanting, water thoroughly to keep the root system and soil in close contact. The whole seedling period takes 4-5 weeks, and 13-15 weeks are needed from sowing to blooming.
Pruning
Whorled tickseed rarely needs to be pruned. In order to promote blooming, prune the terminal bud when it grows to 5 cm. The same should be done again when branches are 10 cm long; remove thin or weak branchlets then too. Pruning withered flowers in time avoids consuming excessive nutrients, and whorled tickseed will bloom again in fall.
Propagation
Propagating can be done by seeds, cuttings, or crown division in fall or early spring.
To propagate by seed, let the pollinated flower mature and dry completely on the plant. Once dried, snip the seedhead off your Moonbeam coreopsis plant. Crush the seed head over a paper plate to release the seeds, and let them dry in a dark, cool environment for a week. Store in a paper envelope. Sow the seeds outdoors in early spring in a sunny part of the garden. Cover with soil and keep moist until the seeds germinate in about two weeks. Coreopsis will also readily self-seed if the seedheads remain on the plants.
Propagating by cuttings begins with cutting the stem at a 45-degree angle where the leaf meets the stem. Remove most leaves from the plant and place cuttings in a pot of perlite or vermiculite. Moisten the soil. After two weeks in direct sunlight, the cuttings should be strong enough to be replanted.
Division propagation should be done in early spring. Lift plants from the ground and remove loose dirt. Divide the plant into sections with a knife and plant the sections with roots into the same soil type and environment as the original plant. Water them well until established.
III. Moonbeam Coreopsis Varieties
There are about 80 species of coreopsis in existence. Along with Moonbeam coreopsis, a few popular varieties used in gardens include the following:
- Coreopsis tinctoria is commonly called Golden tickseed or plains coreopsis. This annual plant has small yellow flowers with red centers and is often found along roadsides in the southern and western United States.
- Coreopsis grandiflora is a large-flowered perennial that produces orange to yellow blooms throughout the summer.
- Coreopsis rosea performs best in USDA zones 4 to 7. It produces lovely pink flowers with yellow centers and is usually found under one foot tall.
IV. Uses and Benefits
Whorled tickseed is prized for its hardiness and long-lasting blooming cycle in perennial gardens, where its profusion of yellow flowers lasts through the summer. Its drought resistance makes it a popular plant in informal and natural gardens, where it often grows next to salvia, veronica, and liatris species.
V. Harvesting and Storage
Generally speaking, whorled tickseed can bloom twice a year, once in spring or summer and once in fall. Its flowers can be appreciated for a long time. If it is not harvested, it can bloom as long as one or two months. After harvest, the vase life of single flower is between three and seven days. Use sharp gardening scissors to cut at the base of the stem, and prune the base of the stem obliquely at 45° to increase the water absorption area. Put it in a vase with clean water.
Find Where to Buy the Best Thread Leaf Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata)
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