Tickseed (Coreopsis rosea 'American Dream')

Overview

Coreopsis rosea ‘American Dream’, a choice cultivar of Tickseed, stands out in the garden as it is noted for being one of the few Coreopsis species boasting pink flowers rather than the typical yellow. This rhizomatous perennial forms dense, bushy clumps that provide a fine-textured, airy presence throughout the growing season. Its aesthetic appeal stems from the continuous profusion of daisy-like blooms featuring rose-colored rays surrounding bright yellow centers during the peak summer months.

This variety offers significant practical value due to its low maintenance requirements and long bloom time, making the Coreopsis rosea ‘American Dream’ a reliable performer in mixed borders and naturalized settings. While it shares a similar habit with C. verticillata, gardeners must remember that this Tickseed cultivar requires consistently moist soil to perform optimally, unlike some of its more drought-tolerant relatives.

For gardeners seeking to introduce unique color and texture, the Coreopsis rosea ‘American Dream’ delivers an ethereal, cottage-garden feel. It spreads modestly by rhizomes and self-seeding under ideal conditions, establishing itself as a dense ground cover that brightens areas from June through August.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Asteraceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1.5-2 ft
  • Spread: 1-1.5 ft
• Bloom Time: June to August
• Bloom Description: Yellow disk with rose rays
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Planting Coreopsis rosea ‘American Dream’ is best accomplished in the spring after the danger of frost has passed. This Tickseed thrives in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for robust blooming. Ensure the planting location provides medium moisture and well-drained soil. Unlike many other Coreopsis species, C. rosea and its cultivars demand consistently moist conditions and should not be placed in areas prone to drying out rapidly. Avoid heavy, poorly drained clay soils, as wet winter conditions combined with poor drainage significantly increases the risk of crown rot.

Care for this perennial is generally simple, fitting well into a low-maintenance landscape plan. Maintain consistent moisture levels throughout the summer; supplemental watering may be necessary during dry spells, as this variety has limited natural drought tolerance. Fertilization is seldom required if the soil is reasonably rich. Deadheading spent flowers, while potentially tedious for large drifts, encourages repeat blooming and limits unwanted self-seeding.

To keep the plants tidy and encourage a secondary flush of flowers, shear the stems back in late summer. This can tidy up the otherwise potentially matted appearance that develops as summer progresses, especially after heavy rains. In optimum conditions, the rhizomatous nature and slight self-seeding allow the Coreopsis rosea ‘American Dream’ to form a dense, appealing ground cover.

Landscape Uses

The airy foliage and extended summer bloom period make this Tickseed an excellent structural accent in various landscape designs. Its manageable size, topping at 2 feet, positions it perfectly for use as an edger along foundations, retaining walls, or garden paths where its fine texture contrasts nicely with bolder plantings. It is highly effective when naturalized, allowing drifts of pink to mingle in meadows or native plant gardens, lending a subtle cottage garden charm.

Consider using Coreopsis rosea ‘American Dream’ in rock gardens, where the slightly better drainage might still suit its needs, provided consistent vigilance regarding water is maintained. It integrates well with other summer bloomers that also appreciate consistent moisture, such as certain astilbes or moisture-loving sedges, creating layered visual interest. For small space gardening, its dense clumping habit makes it an effective small area ground cover solution.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

The specific epithet rosea refers to the rose-colored rays, making this species highly unusual within the Coreopsis genus. It features fine, linear, grass-like leaves that give the plant an inherently delicate appearance, setting off its 1/2 to 1-inch daisy-like flowers beautifully. While resembling C. verticillata, this specific Tickseed lacks the heat tolerance of that species, thriving best in cooler summer regions where its profuse summer bloom is reliably displayed.

Tolerances

• Deer
• Dry Soil
• Shallow-Rocky Soil

Potential Problems

Generally, this Tickseed exhibits few serious insect or disease issues, often being ignored by deer. The most significant cultural challenge lies in managing its spreading habit; if left unchecked, it can become an aggressive spreader through rhizomes and self-seeding, requiring management to maintain boundaries. More critically, crown rot is a distinct possibility if the plant is situated in heavy soils that hold excessive water, especially through winter dormancy. Performance suffers noticeably in hot, humid climates of the deep South, where flowering can become sparse and stems may sprawl or mat due to periodic heavy rainfall combined with temperature stress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Tickseed suitable for?

Coreopsis rosea ‘American Dream’ is adaptable across a wide range, thriving in USDA Zones 3 through 9.

How large does Tickseed grow?

This herbaceous perennial typically reaches a height between 1.5 and 2 feet tall, spreading to between 1 and 1.5 feet wide.

What sun exposure does Coreopsis rosea ‘American Dream’ need?

For the best display of its signature pink flowers, this cultivar requires full sun exposure.

When does Tickseed bloom?

You can expect blooms from this variety starting in June and continuing through August, offering bright color with rose rays and yellow centers.

Conclusion

The delicate texture combined with the long season of unusual pink flowers makes the Coreopsis rosea ‘American Dream’ a standout performer for those seeking difference in their cottage or native garden. Ensure you provide the consistently moist, well-drained soil this unique Tickseed demands for success. Always check local climate data against its USDA Zones 3-9 range before planting this summer favorite.

Companion Planting

When selecting companions for Coreopsis rosea ‘American Dream,’ always prioritize plants that share its requirement for consistent soil moisture. Avoid pairing it immediately with very drought-tolerant natives, as the Tickseed’s roots will suffer if its neighbors consistently dry out the soil between waterings. Look for perennials that also bloom in mid-summer and benefit from full sun exposure. Good neighbors can include Astilbe varieties, which love moisture and bright light, or moisture-loving Meadowsweet (Filipendula).

For textural contrast, place the fine, airy leaves of this Coreopsis near plants offering bolder, broader foliage, such as Hosta varieties tolerant of sun, or Siberian Iris, provided the soil moisture regime is maintained through summer. Furthermore, companion planting with lighter-colored flowers can enhance the soft rose hue of ‘American Dream,’ making it pop in the border design.

Propagation Tips

Propagation of this low-maintenance Tickseed is straightforward, though the resulting plants may be identical to the parent, as ‘American Dream’ comes true reliably from seed. For the easiest vegetative increase, focus on division, which is best performed in early spring just as new growth begins to emerge. Dig up the clump and carefully separate the root ball into sections, ensuring each new piece has adequate root structure and several healthy growing points.

If propagation via seed is preferred, collect the seeds immediately after they mature in late summer or fall, though germination rates can be variable depending on storage and treatment. Since Alan Armitage noted this cultivar is often true to seed, scattered seed can lead to naturalized seedlings appearing the following spring. Alternatively, while not the primary recommendation for this species, softwood cuttings taken early in the season can sometimes be rooted to create identical clones.