Batten Blooms
PL. —Coreopsis tripterisBotanical illustration — drop image
Coreopsis tripteris

Tall Tickseed

SummerFall
4a–9bHardiness zone
Peak bloom windowZone 6b · frost-offset weeks
Winter
Not in bloom
Spring
Not in bloom
Summer
Peak bloom
Fall
In bloom
Peak bloom
In bloom
Background

A tall, statuesque native prairie perennial found from Iowa and Kansas east to Pennsylvania and Georgia, tall tickseed sends up slender, mostly unbranched stems that only branch near the top, where they carry bright yellow daisy flowers with a faint chocolate scent from late summer into fall. Its height and airy habit make it a good back-of-border anchor or naturalized meadow planting without ever needing staking.

It's easy in average to poor soil and genuinely drought tolerant once established, asking for very little beyond full sun. Butterflies and other pollinators visit heavily, and deer generally leave it alone. Cutting stems back by half in early summer can produce a shorter, bushier plant if the full 8-foot height isn't wanted.

Care guide
SunFull sun
WaterLow to moderate; drought tolerant once established
SoilAverage, well-drained; tolerates poor, rocky, or sandy soil
Spacing24–36 in
Height5–8 ft
Zone4a – 9b
Native RegionAL, AR, CT, FL, GA, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MS, MO, NC, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV, WI
Seasonal tasks
spring
cutCut back dead stems in late winter before new growth starts.
summer
cutCut stems back by roughly half in early summer for a shorter, bushier habit, if the full height isn't wanted.
fall
watchEnjoy bright yellow flowers atop tall stems as butterflies visit through late summer and fall.
Common problems

Powdery mildew

Symptoms

White or grey powdery coating on leaves — usually starting on older growth in humid conditions or when nights cool.

Treatment

Improve air circulation by thinning plants. Apply neem oil or potassium bicarbonate spray at first sign. Avoid overhead watering.