Guide to growing garden plants - Coreopsis (Tickseed)
Plants from the Coreopsis genus are very versatile and are available as half hardy annuals, half hardy perennials or as hardy perennials.
The plants have a few common names, these include Calliopsis and Tickseed.
They usually bloom with daisy like flowers of yellow or orange from summer to the early part of autumn.
Coreopsis can reach anything from 20cm to 90cm in height; this makes the plant very versatile, smaller plants can be used in a rock garden, whereas larger varieties can be used in the border.
How to grow Tickseed (Coreopsis)
If planning to start tickseed and other Coreopsis genus plants from seeds outside then they should be sown onto the soil surface in a well drained and sunny area of the garden. The seeds should be sown after the last frost of spring. Ideally the soil should be rich and have a pH of between 5.5 and 7. If you first plan to grow Tickseed seedlings indoors then they generally should be prepared about 8 weeks before you plan to put them out. Perennial varieties of Coreopsis should be planted out in either autumn or after the last frost of spring; annuals should be planted out after the last frost of spring. Germination usually takes from one to four weeks, and should be done at a temperature of 13 to 21 degrees Centigrade in the light.
Caring for Tickseed - Coreopsis
Once growing Tickseed is fairly easy to look after, though they do require to be dead headed, and a regular fertilisation. If you require more plants then either wait for more seed, or divide the perennial varieties of Coreopsis in the autumn.