Fringeleaf tickseed (Coreopsis integrifolia)
Discover Coreopsis integrifolia (Fringeleaf tickseed), a rare perennial for moist soils blooming late season with cheerful yellow flowers.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Fringeleaf tickseed (Coreopsis integrifolia) is a highly valuable, yet rare, herbaceous perennial celebrated for its late-season color. Unlike many tickseeds, this species thrives specifically in moist to wet conditions, making it essential for specialized garden environments. Its cheerful yellow flowers, featuring distinct dark centers, provide a vital late-season nectar source.
This species is known for being stoloniferous, meaning it can spread moderately to form attractive, dense colonies when growing conditions—especially wet soil—are ideal. While native to the southeastern U.S. floodplains, Coreopsis integrifolia exhibits surprising hardiness, often surviving down to Zone 5, expanding its potential use across wider regions.
Gardeners seeking to create naturalized habitats or rain gardens will find Coreopsis integrifolia an excellent, robust addition. Its requirement for consistent moisture differentiates it within the Coreopsis genus, providing reliable performance where other tickseeds might falter.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Native Range: Southeastern United States
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2.5 ft
- Spread: 1-2 ft
- Bloom Time: September to October
- Bloom Description: Yellow with dark centers
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium to wet
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting Coreopsis integrifolia is best done in spring after the last frost, ensuring it is sited in full sun or partial shade. The critical factor for success is soil moisture; this plant must have moist to wet soils, thriving much better than most other Coreopsis species in damp environments. It adapts well to various soil types, provided they do not dry out completely during the growing season.
Maintenance is moderate. Water consistently, especially during establishment or periods of drought, though established plants tolerate heat and humidity well, provided the soil remains sufficiently wet. Fertilization is rarely necessary if the plant is sited correctly within its native moisture range. Deadheading older blooms may encourage repeat flowering, although its primary show is late summer into fall when many other perennials are finishing.
Coreopsis integrifolia spreads slowly via stolons, creating natural colonies, though it is not considered invasive. If colonies become too dense, divide the clumps in early spring or fall to maintain vigor and control spread. Although its native range centers around Zone 8, it demonstrates winter hardiness down to Zone 5, allowing gardeners in cooler areas to successfully cultivate this unique perennial with adequate winter protection if necessary.
Landscape Uses
The primary appeal of Fringeleaf tickseed in the landscape lies in moisture-rich settings where it can truly naturalize. It excels when massed in moist, open woodland gardens, blending beautifully with ferns and moisture-loving woodland edge shrubs. Its upright growth habit and late bloom time make it perfect for stream peripheries, pond edges, or within naturalized meadow plantings.
Consider using Coreopsis integrifolia to soften the edges of constructed water features or in rain gardens requiring robust, colorful wetland plants. While it spreads slightly, its growth is manageable, making it excellent for cottage gardens where a slightly wild, informal look is desired. Despite its currently imperiled status in the wild, promoting its use commercially allows gardeners to enjoy its distinct beauty responsibly.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Coreopsis integrifolia, commonly called Chipola River tickseed, is a yellow-flowered herbaceous perennial in the aster family which typically grows in a slowly spreading clump rising to 18-24” tall. This is a rare species which is native to low woodlands, floodplains and stream/river banks primarily in the area of the Chipola River in the Florida panhandle. Single flowers (2” diameter) bloom from September to late October atop upright stems rising above the foliage clump to as much as 30” tall. The genus name Coreopsis comes from Greek words meaning “bug-like” in reference to the shape of the seed.
Tolerances
- Tolerant of heat and humidity
Potential Problems
Coreopsis integrifolia generally avoids serious insect or disease issues when planted in its preferred moist environment. Compact plants tend to sprawl less than some taller tickseed varieties. However, gardeners should watch for potential fungal issues like leaf spot, rust, and botrytis, particularly in humid conditions or if air circulation is poor. Common pests to monitor include aphids, the four-lined plant bug, and the cucumber beetle. Management usually involves ensuring good air flow and promptly removing affected foliage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Fringeleaf tickseed suitable for?
This resilient perennial is reliably suited for USDA Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Coreopsis integrifolia grow?
Fringeleaf tickseed typically reaches heights between 1.5 and 2.5 feet, with a spread ranging from 1 to 2 feet wide.
When does Fringeleaf tickseed bloom?
This plant provides late-season interest, blooming consistently from September right through October with bright yellow flowers featuring dark centers.
What sun exposure does Coreopsis integrifolia need?
It thrives best in areas receiving full sun, though it performs adequately even with partial shade.
Conclusion
Coreopsis integrifolia offers reliable, late-season bright yellow flowers perfect for wet garden pockets where few perennials succeed. Integrating Fringeleaf tickseed into your landscape adds valuable habitat and color during the autumn transition. Before planting, confirm your site maintains the medium to wet soil conditions necessary for this exceptional native perennial.
Propagation Tips
Propagation of Coreopsis integrifolia is straightforward, typically achieved via seed or division. Since the plant is stoloniferous, division is an effective method for increasing your stock or managing patch size. Divide the slow-spreading clumps in the early spring before new growth begins, ensuring each division retains healthy roots and at least one viable crown. When sowing seed, germination is often best achieved with cold stratification, mimicking its natural winter cycle before sprouting in spring.
Wildlife Benefits
As a native species flowering late into the season (September and October), Coreopsis integrifolia offers crucial late-season sustenance for local pollinators. The bright yellow flowers attract various bees and butterflies seeking nectar before winter dormancy. Furthermore, the seed heads left standing provide small food sources for seed-eating birds in the late fall and winter landscape.
