Coreopsis leavenworthii
 
Common Names: Leavenworth’s Tickseed, Florida Tickseed, Coastal Plain Coreopsis
 
Zones: 8–11
 
An herbaceous annual or short-lived perennial native to Florida and the southeastern Coastal Plain, Coreopsis leavenworthii thrives in moist pinelands, roadside swales, and wet prairies. Known for its cheerful yellow daisy-like flowers and fine-textured foliage, it blooms prolifically and reseeds readily. This species is a staple in native wildflower plantings and roadside restoration.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Upright; clump-forming; freely reseeding
Height: Typically 1–3 ft (0.3–0.9 m); slender stems
Trunk: Herbaceous; green; smooth; branching at base
Leaves: Linear to threadlike; opposite; bright green; finely textured
Inflorescence: Bright yellow ray flowers with reddish centers; bloom spring through fall
Fruit: Small achenes; dark brown; dispersed by wind and water
Ecology: Native to wet pinelands, prairies, and disturbed sites; attracts pollinators and beneficial insects
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Moderate; prefers seasonal moisture
Soil: Sandy to loamy; tolerates poor soils; prefers moist but well-drained conditions
Temperature: Tolerates 20–95°F (–6 to 35°C); thrives in 65–85°F (18–29°C)
Humidity: Moderate to high; adapted to humid subtropical zones
Propagation: By seed; germinates readily; reseeds in suitable conditions
Tolerance: Heat and humidity tolerant; deer-resistant; suitable for low-maintenance plantings
 
Landscape Use
Best suited for wildflower meadows, roadside restorations, and native pollinator gardens. Its long bloom season and reseeding habit make it ideal for naturalistic designs. Pairs well with Echinacea purpurea, Gaillardia pulchella, and Muhlenbergia capillaris in sunny, moisture-adapted plantings.