SCIENTIFIC NAME: Coreopsis lanceolata

COMMON NAME: Coreopsis, tickseed

FAMILY: Asteraceae (Compositae)

TYPE: perennial

LEAVES: opposite, mostly basal, may be linear to oblong-spatulate, 2"-6" long, entire margin or small lateral lobes

FLOWER: heads 1 1/2 " to 2 1/2" across, on very long peduncles; about 8 yellow rays, with yellow or chestnut disc flowers

SEASON OF BLOOM: late spring, summer, and early fall

GROWTH HABIT: 2' to 3' clump with erect flowers

SOIL: moist and well drained, but plant is drought tolerant

SUN: full

HARDINESS: zones 3-8

UTILIZATION: wildflower gardens, borders, cut flowers

DISEASES: leaf spot, rust, powdery mildew, bacterial rot

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: potato aphid, spotted cucumber beetle (neither serious)

PROPAGATION: seed, self-sows, division in spring

MAINTENANCE: deadheading to prolong flowering

CULTIVARS: All-America Winner 'Early Sunrise' (1989); Sunburst is 36" and Sunray is 20"