Tickseed (Coreopsis 'Jethro Tull')

Overview

Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ is a vibrant and dependable herbaceous perennial celebrated for its profuse, long-lasting blooms. This cultivar of Tickseed provides rich color, featuring distinctive golden-yellow rays that are artfully fluted toward the tip, creating wonderful texture in the garden from early summer through August. Its manageable size and relatively low demands on the gardener make it an excellent choice for sunny borders.

As a tough hybrid, Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ is highly valued for its resilience, thriving in heat, humidity, and even periods of drought once established. This easy-to-grow Tickseed blends perfectly into cottage gardens while its upright form anchors the front of perennial beds. Gardeners appreciate the continuous display provided by this beautiful variety of Coreopsis.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Asteraceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1-1.5 ft
  • Spread: 1-1.5 ft
• Bloom Time: June to August
• Bloom Description: Golden yellow
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Dry to medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

For optimal performance, plant Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ in the spring or fall in a location receiving full sun. This perennial thrives best in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil conditions. It exhibits excellent tolerance for heat and humidity, making it a reliable performer across many climates.

Maintenance for this Tickseed is wonderfully low. Water regularly to establish the plant, but once settled, it handles dry soil quite well due to its drought tolerance. Avoid heavy fertilization, as rich soil can encourage floppy growth rather than dense blooms.

To encourage a robust second flush of flowers, shear the plants lightly in mid to late summer after the initial bloom wanes. This pruning removes spent foliage and encourages new growth for a fall repeat. Clumps may spread slowly via rhizomes, but clumps can be divided every few years in the spring to maintain vigor, especially when used in formal borders.

Landscape Uses

Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ excels where reliable color and tough performance are needed. It is perfectly suited for border fronts, acting as a bright edge along pathways or sidewalks, and its manageable height (under 1.5 feet) prevents it from obscuring shorter neighbors. Given its tolerance for poor, dry soils, this Tickseed is ideal for use in naturalized areas, xeriscaping, or wild gardens where watering is sparse.

Even compact patios benefit from the continuous color of Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ when grown in containers. Pair this golden perennial with silver-foliaged plants that also appreciate dry conditions, or complement its bloom time with summer-flowering salvias or Russian Sage. Its reliable structure and cheerful color guarantee visual interest throughout the summer heat.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy
• Good Cut

Noteworthy Characteristics

The genus name Coreopsis comes from the Greek words koris meaning “bug” and opsis meaning “like,” referencing the shape of the seed resembling a tick. Cultivar ‘Jethro Tull’ forms an upright, outward-spreading mound, reaching about 18 inches tall, and features beautiful hybrid heritage. Flowers, up to 2 inches in diameter, display golden-yellow rays surrounding darker centers, blooming persistently from late spring into fall.

Tolerances

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

Potential Problems

The primary concern for Tickseed varieties like Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ arises from overwatering. Crown rot is a real risk if the plant sits in moist, poorly drained soils, so ensuring excellent drainage is crucial for its survival. In very humid climates accompanied by heavy summer rains, the stems might tend to sprawl or flop outward.

While generally resistant, gardeners should watch for uncommon fungal issues like powdery mildew or botrytis. Planting in full sun with good air circulation helps mitigate humidity-related diseases. Fortunately, deer tend to leave this plant alone, minimizing pest pressure in many landscapes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ suitable for?

Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ is quite adaptable, thriving reliably in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 9.

How large does Tickseed grow?

This perennial typically reaches a height between 1 and 1.5 feet tall, with a comparable spread of 1 to 1.5 feet, forming a neat mound.

What sun exposure does Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ need?

This tough, drought-tolerant perennial absolutely requires full sun exposure to achieve its best health and most prolific bloom time of June to August.

When does Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ bloom?

The signature golden yellow flowers appear consistently starting in June and continue blooming profusely through August, often longer with mid-summer grooming.

Conclusion

Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ is a standout addition to any sunny garden space, providing reliable, showy golden color with minimal fuss. Its tolerance for heat and dry soil cements its value as a truly low-maintenance herbaceous perennial. Ensure you check your local USDA zone compatibility before planting this beautiful Tickseed this spring for years of enjoyment.

Propagation Tips

Division is the most straightforward method for increasing your stock of Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’. Since the clumps may spread slowly via rhizomes, carefully lift the entire clump in early spring before new growth begins. Use a sharp spade or knife to divide the root ball into sections, ensuring each new division has a healthy crown and several roots attached. Replant the divisions immediately into prepared soil, watering well to help them reestablish quickly.

While this plant is a hybrid, and reseeding will not occur reliably or true to type, dividing established clumps every 2-3 years is beneficial maintenance practice, regardless of propagation goals. Division helps keep the Tickseed plants vigorous, prevents overcrowding, and maintains their upright habit, especially in formal settings.

Companion Planting

Because Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ prefers drier soils and full sun, it pairs excellently with other xeriscape favorites that share similar cultural needs. Consider planting it alongside Lavender (‘Munstead’ or ‘Hidcote’ varieties) or Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia). These companions complement the golden bloom with cooler blues and purples while remaining unfazed by the dry soil conditions this Tickseed prefers.

For continuous texture and bloom succession, interplant Coreopsis ‘Jethro Tull’ with late-summer bloomers like Coneflowers (Echinacea) or ornamental grasses that enjoy excellent drainage. Avoid placing it near moisture-loving plants such as Astilbe or large Hostas, as prolonged dampness around the base of the Coreopsis can invite crown rot.