Tickseed (Coreopsis 'Pinwheel')
Coreopsis 'Pinwheel' (Tickseed) offers continuous summer bloom with showy, yellow and orange pinwheel flowers, thriving in full sun and low maintenance.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ is a standout hybrid perennial celebrated for its profuse, cheerful bloom cycle that spans from early summer well into autumn. This variety of Tickseed produces light yellow, pinwheel-shaped flowers, each featuring a distinctive orange center, creating high visual impact in the garden. Requiring low maintenance, Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ establishes quickly and provides long-lasting color, making it invaluable for busy gardeners seeking reliable performance.
This robust cultivar is part of the Coreopsis genus—often called tickseed due to the bug-like shape of its tiny seeds—and it offers excellent resilience once established. It thrives in demanding conditions, handling heat, humidity, and periodic dry spells with grace. Its compact, mounding habit makes Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ an easy addition to nearly any sunny spot in the landscape.
Gardeners appreciate this plant for its versatility and its ability to perform beautifully in mixed borders or naturalized settings. Providing nearly continuous color, it transforms sunny borders into bright, welcoming spaces throughout the core months of the growing season.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2.5 ft
- Bloom Time: June to September
- Bloom Description: Yellow with orange center
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ in locations receiving full sun for the best flowering display. It performs excellently in dry to medium moisture conditions, provided the soil is well-drained; poor drainage is the primary enemy of this healthy Tickseed. Good preparation involves amending heavy clay soils to ensure excess water can escape readily, preventing crown rot.
Maintenance for Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ is wonderfully simple. While tolerant of drought once mature, supplemental watering during prolonged dry spells aids peak performance. Fertilization is rarely necessary; rich soils can actually encourage excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers.
For extended bloom, employ mid to late summer shearing. Cutting back the sprawling foliage by about one-third encourages a fresh flush of growth and subsequent rebloom later in the season. Be aware that clumps of this hybrid coreopsis may spread slightly by rhizomes and benefit from division every two to three years in the spring to maintain vigor, especially in formal plantings.
Remember that the longevity of hybrid coreopsis can vary, but proper care ensures robust performance, though some gardeners treat more tender selections as annuals.
Landscape Uses
Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ excels when utilized near the front of sunny perennial borders, providing a tidy, colorful edge where taller specimens might overshadow shorter neighbors. Its naturalizing tendency also makes it a fantastic choice for creating drifts in wild gardens or cottage-style plantings where maintenance is minimal.
The plant’s ability to handle poor, dry soils effectively solves perennial landscape challenges common in hot, exposed areas or rock gardens. Furthermore, its vibrant yellow and orange flowers provide an excellent contrast against cool-toned foliage plants nearby.
For structural interest, use Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ to soften hardscaping edges, such as along sidewalks or patios. It adapts surprisingly well to larger patio containers, adding reliable, cheerful color that lasts for months.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Coreopsis is a genus of between 75-80 species from North America, Mexico, Central and South America. The genus name comes from the Greek words koris meaning “bug” and opsis meaning “like” in reference to the shape of the seed which resembles a bug or tick. ‘Pinwheel’ is a hybrid perennial coreopsis that typically grows in a mound to 24” tall and 30” wide. Light yellow pinwheel-shaped flowers (to 1.5” diameter) with orange centers bloom, often in profusion, from early summer to fall over a mound of blue-green leaves.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
Potential Problems
Crown rot poses the most significant threat to Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’, usually occurring when the plant is situated in heavy, constantly moist soil that does not drain well. Proactive site selection toward well-drained situations is the best preventative measure. Uncommon diseases include fungal issues like powdery mildew and botrytis, which can be mitigated by ensuring good air circulation around the plants. Be prepared for stems to sprawl slightly, especially in very humid climates or during heavy summer rains.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Tickseed suitable for?
Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ is generally suitable for USDA Zones 5 through 9, offering reliable perennial performance across a wide range of temperate climates.
How large does Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ grow?
This perennial typically reaches a mature height between 1.5 to 2 feet tall, spreading moderately to fill an area between 1.5 and 2.5 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Tickseed need?
For optimal health and maximum bloom production, Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ requires full sun exposure throughout the day.
When does Tickseed bloom?
This variety of Tickseed offers a long bloom window, typically flowering consistently from June right through September with its attractive yellow and orange flowers.
Conclusion
The vibrant, long-lasting color and exceptional drought tolerance make Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ an indispensable component for sunny, low-maintenance garden designs. This Tickseed variety consistently delivers, resisting deer pressure while rewarding gardeners with hundreds of cheerful blooms. Check your local hardiness zone compatibility and plan to plant your Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ in the spring for the best establishment.
Companion Planting
When designing beds around Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’, select companions that share its preference for full sun and dry to medium moisture profiles. Plants that benefit from rapid drainage, such as ornamental grasses (like Little Bluestem) or Mediterranean natives (like Lavender or Salvia), pair beautifully with the Tickseed. These companions often feature fine textures that contrast nicely with the mounding habit of the Coreopsis. Avoid moisture-loving perennials, as grouping them risks overwatering the Coreopsis entirely.
Propagation Tips
Propagating Coreopsis ‘Pinwheel’ is best accomplished through the division of established clumps, an essential practice for maintaining plant vigor every few years. Perform this division early in the spring before new growth aggressively emerges. Carefully dig up the clump, gently separate it into smaller sections—ensuring each division has healthy roots and several viable growth points—and replant immediately at the same depth. While Coreopsis can sometimes be grown from seed, division directly maintains the desirable traits of the named hybrid cultivar.
