Coreopsis (tickseeds)

We have multiple species from the genus Coreopsis that can grow in Norman gardens.

Coreopsis lanceolata

Lance-leaf Coreopsis is one of the more common and adaptable species in Norman gardens. It’s a short-lived perennial that usually lasts one to three years for an individual (personal observation). However, if they are happy they will reseed abundantly and sometimes in very different locations from where you originally placed them. Mine have migrated from a bit too much part-shade behind a redbud to the sunnier parts of the yard.

On a sunny day, dozens and dozens of bright golden yellow composite flowers float atop lush green foliage along a concrete driveway. Each yellow flower is atop a thin green stem, and the flowers are distributed evenly over the tops of the round-tipped, narrow green leaves.A slightly different lemon yellow sundrop primrose lurks in the back left of the image, and a clump of red blanketflowers are nestled in the back right of the plants. This is a photograph taken by the author in Norman, Oklahoma, in April 2026.

An extensive volunteer patch of Coreopsis lanceolata

How to grow

From seeds

To sprout, these seeds require 30 days of cold stratification. It’s easy to reach that in a season by sowing in the fall (usually before December-ish). You can put seeds in the freezer for 30 days or in the fridge on a damp paper towel in a bag or sealed container for 30 days (some will begin to germinate or mold, go ahead and plant them either way).

The seedlings will come up in what we think of as winter. They should be fine with any freezes that occur so don’t worry about sheltering them unless they just came from indoor or greenhouse sprouted seedlings.

From plants

If you want to move plants, you can dig them when they are not blooming. The later in the spring (post March, for example, or in any weather above the 60s F), whenever you dig and move them, the plant will wilt dramatically. A week or two of consistent watering usually revives them. Once they start growing new leaves again they’re fine.

  • Root type: fibrous
  • Divisible: no
  • Diggable: yes
  • Recovers from taproot cut: yes

Where they live

Moisture

  • Dry: no
  • Medium dry: yes
  • Average: yes
  • Medium wet: yes
  • Wet: yes
  • Aquatic: no
  • Spring flooding: no
  • Winter drought: yes
  • Summer drought: brief
  • Drought reaction: dies

Light

  • Full shade: no
  • Part shade: no
  • Full sun: yes

Soil types

  • Sand: yes
  • Loam: yes
  • Clay: yes
  • Shallow: yes
  • Potting soil: yes
  • Well drained: yes
  • Poorly drained: no
  • Nutrient rich: yes
  • Nutrient poor: yes

Disturbance

  • Leaves are a bit fleshy and will look sad if you step on them
  • Mowing - unclear how often it could handle but probably not more than once a season if that. let me know if you try it.

Thatch and leafy layers

  • Doesn’t seem to be able to germinate with many layers of leaves, so plant in areas where some bare ground is available

Temperature

  • The lowest temperature I have recorded for adult plants without damage is -12 degrees F when covered by snow and 2 degrees F without snow. This is not a species I worry about covering adult plants (or outdoor-sprouted seedlings) in the winter.

Interactions with other plants

Can coexist easily with
  • Ratibidia columnifera
  • Gaillardia pulchella
  • Callirhoe involucrata
  • Oenethera speciosa
  • Oenethera berlanderii
  • Senna roehmeriana
  • Asclepias viridis
  • Invasives
    • bermudagrass
    • crabgrass

Even in ideal habitat, can be outcompeted by

  • Helianthus maximiliani
  • Datura wrightii
  • Teucrium canadense
  • Sorghastrum nutans
  • Solidago sp Saxon
  • Vernonia baldwinii

In its ideal habitat, this species can outcompete

  • Oxalis violacea
  • Sedum nutallii
  • Sedum pulchellum
  • Asclepias asperula
  • Buffalograss
  • Oenethera macrocarpa

Can this plant tolerate allelopathy by

  • Black walnut: unknown
  • Pines: unknown
  • Eastern red cedars: unknown
  • Invasives
    • Tree of heaven: unknown
    • Bradford pears: unknown
    • Garlic mustard: unknown

Where can I get lance-leaved coreopsis for Oklahoma?

  • Ask a neighbor if they have any!
  • Dig existing seedlings in winter or late spring (they get dramatic and wilt when moved, so cooler temperatures, less wind, and late in the evening are best the later it gets).

Plants (potted or bare roots)

Within one state
  • nursery lists
More than a state away

Seeds

Oklahoma
  • Johnston Seed Company
  • Native Plants OKC
  • Lia’s Garden
  • Wild Roots
  • Sanctuary Gardens
Within one state
  • Native American Seed
  • Buffalo Seed Company
  • Missouri Wildflower Nursery
  • Eco Blossom Nursery
  • Painted Flower Farms
More than a state away
  • Prairie Moon
  • Prairie Legacy Inc
  • Prairie Nursery
  • Seed Savers Exchange
  • Native Seed Search

Find more photos and information

  • North Carolina Extension Service
  • Missouri Botanical Garden
  • Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center
  • Wildflower Search
  • Wikipedia
  • North Central Texas Flora page number
  • North Central Texas Wildflower Field Guide page number
  • Oklahoma Flora page number

Other species

to be added (C tintoria, C palmata, C grandiflora, C verticillata, etc)

What is the function of Coreopsis in the ecosystem…

in Oklahoma?

in general?

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