Plains Coreopsis is a cheerful annual wildflower native to the western United States that has naturalized across the eastern landscape. Its 2-inch daisy-like blooms feature bright yellow petals with deep maroon centers, appearing from June through September on plants reaching 24 to 48 inches tall. Growing from seed to bloom in just 60 to 75 days, this hardy flower thrives in zones 2 to 11 and demands almost nothing once established, tolerating drought, poor rocky soils, and deer with equal grace. Beyond its ornamental appeal, the roots and dried flowers have long held medicinal value, and the petals serve as a natural dye, connecting gardeners to generations of practical plant use.
12
Full Sun
Moderate
2-11
48in H x 18in W
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Moderate
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Yellow blooms with burgundy centers appear reliably from early summer through fall, and the flowers cut beautifully for arrangements. Plains Coreopsis handles conditions that would defeat other annuals: clay soil, shallow rocky ground, and sustained drought all feel natural to it. The plant freely self-seeds in favorable conditions, so one season of planting can establish years of cheerful blooms, though deadheading spent flowers gives you control over where seedlings appear.
Plains Coreopsis shines as a cut flower, with its long stems and cheerful blooms lasting well in arrangements. Wildflower meadows and prairie-style borders benefit from its prolific blooming and minimal care demands. The petals have traditionally been used as a natural dye, giving the plant practical value beyond ornament, while the roots and dried flowers hold medicinal properties in herbal traditions.
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Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your average last spring frost date. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date has passed.
Set transplants out after the last spring frost date in full sun to light shade, spacing them 12 inches apart. Harden off seedlings gradually before moving them to permanent garden positions.
Sow seeds outdoors 1 to 2 weeks before your average last frost date. You may also direct sow after the last frost date has passed.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming and prevent unwanted self-seeding. If taller plants become leggy or wind-damaged, cut them back to promote bushier growth. Allow some flowers to remain on the plant late in the season if you want self-seeded plants to appear next year.
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“Coreopsis tinctoria is native to the western United States, growing naturally west of the Mississippi River in its ancestral range. Over time, this wildflower escaped from cultivated gardens and has naturalized throughout the eastern U.S. all the way to the Atlantic, now commonly found in rocky glades, sandy ground, and along roadsides and railroad tracks. Missouri botanical records document its spread across the landscape, a testament to its vigor and adaptability. Today, seed savers and native plant advocates recognize it as both a reliable garden annual and an ecological bridge between native western flora and eastern landscapes.”