Florida’s state wildower is Coreopsis,
also known as tickseed, and refers to
all 14 species native to Florida. Many of
these occur only in North Florida and the
Panhandle. The most common species,
Leavenworth’s tickseed (Coreopsis
leavenworthii), is almost entirely endemic
to Florida, which means it occurs naturally
nowhere else in the world. This plant can
be found throughout Florida, especially
on roadsides and in disturbed areas,
atwoods and prairies.
Description
Leavenworth’s tickseed is an annual
but can be a short-lived perennial in the
southern half of Florida. Its bouquets
of yellow daisy-like owers bloom
throughout the year when the weather is
warm. The 1- to 2-inch owers have dark
centers surrounded by scalloped yellow
ray orets, which look like petals but
technically aren’t. Leavenworth’s tickseed
grows 1½ to 3 feet tall on slender stems
with many branches. Its bright green
leaves are narrow and range from simple
to lobed or deeply divided, thus giving the
plant a more open appearance.
Planting
As an annual or short-lived perennial,
Leavenworth’s tickseed needs a site that
offers space for it to reseed. It can reseed
between other plants, such as other
wildowers, if they are not too competitive.
Seeds
Seeds are commercially available, or you
can harvest your own. They mature very
quickly after ower petals have withered.
Look for mature seeds with “wings” on
their sides in the little cup at the tip of the
stem. Germination usually occurs in less
Tickseed
than seven days. The rst leaves of a
seedling are not lobed and have rounded
tips.
Plants
Leavenworth’s tickseed is available in
quarts and gallons. They may be planted
anytime of the year; plant in the spring for
the full benet of owering. Space 1 to 2
feet apart. Coreopsis establishes quickly
in moist soils.
Care
Because this plant is an annual,
especially in colder areas, cold protection
is not needed. Leavenworth’s tickseed is
relatively disease- and pest-free, though
some critters may feed on it.
If the plants are cut back near the end
of their bloom, they will produce another
ush of owers. Plants can be stringtrimmed
or mowed at a 6- to 8-inch
height.
Site conditions
Leavenworth’s tickseed likes any open,
moist site, preferably sandy and drained,
but is not very particular about soil acidity.
Full sun produces the most owers.
Though it can tolerate some drought and
drier soils, it will not perform as well. Moist
soils also allow for reseeding — important
in maintaining this species.
Hardiness zones
Leavenworth’s tickseed is best suited for
zones 8a–11.
Other species
Lanceleaf tickseed (C. lanceolata)
grows naturally in North Florida and the
Panhandle in sandhills and disturbed
areas, but it is widely used farther south.
It is a short-lived perennial that readily
reseeds. Its yellow ray owers are
complemented by a golden disk atop
fairly thick stems. This spring bloomer can
ower into summer with dead-heading
and is drought tolerant.
Florida tickseed (C.
oridana) is endemic
to Florida and grows
in wet prairies and
wet pine atwoods
throughout the state.
This perennial has
thick eshy leaves and larger owers than
Leavenworth’s tickseed. It blooms in the
fall on stems up to 3 feet tall. Yellow ray
owers surround a deep brown disk.
Coreopsis is a great nectar plant
for butteries and pollinators. It also
has been used to make tea and for
treating various medical ailments.
1–3 ft
Nectar
For Coreopsis
leavenworthii, which
occurs throughout
CAUTION
Florida, the origin of the
plants or seed does
not seem to be a factor
in successful growth, according to
recent research. If other species of
Coreopsis are being considered,
look for local sources, as most other
species occur far outside of Florida.
Some, such as Lanceleaf tickseed,
also have popular horticultural
varieties developed from progeny
outside Florida.
Photo by Vince Lamb
Photo by Alan Shapiro
Photo by Eleanor Dietrich