There are 103 species of Coreopsis, a member of the Aster family (Compositae). It is also called TICKSEED. Seven of these plants are cultivated and are an interesting and diverse group of plants. Cultivated Coreopsis perennials include auriculata, gigantea, grandiflora, lanceolata, rosea, tinctoria, and verticillata. TICKSEED grows from seed in Zones 4-10 and flower in spring or summer. Several of them tolerate dry conditions. They range in height from two to five feet and attract birds as well.

Coreopsis grandiflora Hogg ex Sweet, Large-flower tickseed, a perennial, is the work-horse of the genus – it is widely cultivated in the Zones where it can be grown. Its flower is a pure yellow without a secondary color. It can self-sow and may become weedy. It comes in a variety of flower colors and plant sizes including baby sun, early sunrise, sunray, sunfire, sunburst, sun up, domino, and heliot ‘Sunray’ has double flower which may not attract wildlife to feed. The others have the same basic yellow flower – some with a secondary color and some more compact then the mother plant.
The blossom shown on this page is one of the varieties and illustrates the plant’s basic flower structure.

Coreopsis grandiflora grows to 2 feet high and wide and flowers in spring and summer. Grow it in sun or part shade in Zones 7-10; it is treated as an annual in chilly zones and can be grown in containers. It is native to central and southeastern united states. Give it moderate or dry watering. This Coreopsis can be grown in a container.

In addition to the butterflies that come to plants in the Compositae family to feed, Coreopsis is particularly appealing to these adult butterfly species:
Atalopedes campestris, SACHEM
Danaus plexippus, MONARCH
Junonia coenia, COMMON BUCKEYE
Zerene cesonia, SOUTHERN DOGFACE