Tickseed (Coreopsis 'Limerock Ruby')

Overview

Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ is a stunningly colored hybrid selection that brings rare ruby-red hues to the typically yellow world of Tickseed. This herbaceous perennial offers a fine-textured, airy foliage mound topped by daisy-like flowers, providing excellent season-long color. Gardeners value this plant for its relatively low maintenance requirements and its tolerance for heat and drier soils once established.

This particular cultivar has a growth habit reminiscent of Threadleaf Coreopsis, forming dense clumps ideal for softening hardscape edges or filling out mixed borders. The vibrant bloom of Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ draws attention, while its resilience ensures it performs well through the peak summer months. It is a dependable bloomer when provided appropriate sun exposure.

Known commonly as Tickseed, this Coreopsis variety is noted for its unusual coloration stemming from its parentage, likely involving C. Rosea and C. Verticillata. Plant Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ where its striking color can be appreciated and where soil drainage is excellent to ensure longevity.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Asteraceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 8-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1-1.5 ft
  • Spread: 1-2 ft
• Bloom Time: June to September
• Bloom Description: Ruby red with yellow centers
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Dry to medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Start planting Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ in the spring after the danger of hard frost has passed, favoring locations that provide full, unobstructed sun exposure throughout the day. This Tickseed thrives best in well-drained soils; poor drainage is the primary factor leading to plant decline or crown rot. While it prefers dry to medium moisture, ensure it receives consistent water until it is fully established in its new location.

Maintenance for this hybrid coreopsis is generally low. Fertilizing is rarely necessary, as excessive nutrition can sometimes lead to leggier growth and reduced flowering. The most crucial maintenance task involves shearing. Plants may sprawl or look unkempt after their initial major flush; shear them back mid to late summer (around early August) to tidy the foliage and significantly encourage a second, robust wave of ruby-red blooms extending into the fall.

Plants may spread slowly via rhizomes, and clumps can be divided in the spring if the plant becomes too congested or large for its dedicated space. This division is recommended every 2-3 years in formal garden settings to maintain peak vigor. Be aware that the hardiness of this hybrid can be variable; while initially introduced as highly hardy, it performs reliably as a perennial primarily in the warmer zones (8-9).

Landscape Uses

Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ excels in locations demanding color and drought tolerance. Its compact, bushy habit makes it perfect for border fronts, where the vibrant stems are visible over lower-growing companions. It also works excellently as a sidewalk edging plant, providing a neat, colorful transition between paving and lawn.

Consider using this Tickseed in naturalized areas or wild gardens where its medium-water needs align with native planting schemes. Furthermore, its relatively small stature ensures it performs admirably when used as a colorful component in patio containers or window boxes throughout the flowering season.

Pair this cultivar with other sun-loving, dry-tolerant plants like ornamental grasses, Sedum, or hardy Salvia. The fine texture of the thread-like foliage contrasts beautifully with broader-leafed companions, making Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ a versatile element in cottage gardens.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

The genus Coreopsis is vast, with this specific hybrid, ‘Limerock Ruby’, standing out due to its unusual deep red coloration, resembling threadleaf forms. It is a rhizomatous perennial that creates dense, bushy clumps topped with ruby-red daisy-like flowers accented by yellowish centers. Long bloom periods from late spring through summer are easily maintained by shearing the plant mid-season to prompt a fresh flush of flowers.

Tolerances

• Deer
• Drought
• Dry Soil
• Shallow-Rocky Soil

Potential Problems

The most significant threat to Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ is crown rot, which almost invariably occurs when the plant is situated in soil that retains too much moisture or has poor drainage. Always amend heavy soil with grit or compost to improve aeration before planting.

While generally pest-resistant, gardeners might occasionally observe issues like powdery mildew, botrytis, or aster yellows, particularly in very humid, dense plantings. Good air circulation, achieved through proper spacing, is essential for prevention. Stems can also tend to sprawl, especially during periods of high heat combined with heavy summer rains; this is best managed by the recommended mid-summer shearing. Deer generally find this Tickseed unappetizing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Tickseed (Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’) suitable for?

Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ Tickseed is reliably perennial in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 and 9.

How large does Tickseed (Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’) grow?

This plant typically reaches a height between 1 and 1.5 feet tall, spreading to fill out a 1 to 2-foot area.

What sun exposure does Tickseed (Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’) need?

This variety requires full sun exposure to produce its best ruby-red blooms and maintain a compact form.

When does Tickseed (Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’) bloom?

Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ offers a long season of color, blooming steadily from June through September, featuring stunning ruby red flowers with yellow centers.

Conclusion

Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ offers an invaluable splash of deep color and fine texture for sunny, drier garden areas, making it a superior alternative to many common yellow coreopsis types. This low-maintenance Tickseed is renowned for its showy, long-lasting performance under stress, provided it has drainage. Before planting, ensure your site offers full sun and check that your climate aligns with USDA Zones 8-9 for reliable perennial performance.

Companion Planting

When selecting neighbors for Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’, focus on species that share its preference for full sun and well-drained conditions. Plants that offer contrasting foliage texture, such as Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) or various ornamental grasses, will enhance the airy feel of the Tickseed. Gray or silver foliage companions also help make the jewel tones of the red blooms pop visually.

Consider pairing this perennial with other drought-tolerant summer bloomers like lavender or Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia). These companions share cultural requirements and provide height variation without competing aggressively for moisture or nutrients. The resulting combination creates a resilient, low-water border that retains visual interest across the season.

Propagation Tips

While Coreopsis ‘Limerock Ruby’ is easily grown from purchased plants, propagation is straightforward through root division. Because the plants spread via rhizomes, division should occur in the spring as new growth is emerging. Carefully dig up established clumps and divide them into smaller sections, ensuring each new piece has sufficient roots attached.

Replant the divided sections promptly into prepared, well-draining soil. Division is also a vital cultural practice, as separating clumps every few years helps maintain the plant’s vigor and prevents overcrowding, which can sometimes lead to reduced flowering or increased susceptibility to localized disease issues.