Tickseed (Coreopsis SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE)
Coreopsis SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE Tickseed offers long-lasting double golden blooms. Low maintenance, drought, and deer tolerant.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Coreopsis SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE, commonly known as Tickseed, provides an exceptional display of continuous summer color. This cultivar is valued for its compact, mounded habit and striking double, bright golden yellow flowers held in spherical clusters. As a dependable herbaceous perennial, it reliably brings vibrancy from early summer all the way through fall.
This variety is recognized for its excellent performance and adaptability across various garden conditions. It thrives in full sun and handles heat, humidity, and drought well once established, making it a practical choice for busy gardeners. Few plants offer such a long bloom window with such minimal input.
Growers will appreciate the low maintenance required for healthy growth and abundant flowering. The robust nature of Coreopsis SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE ensures it performs beautifully when tucked into borders or featured in containers, offering reliable texture and year-round garden structure.
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 October
- Bloom Description: Golden yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Coreopsis SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE in the spring or fall after all danger of hard frost has passed, ensuring it is situated where it receives full sun exposure daily. It performs best in well-drained soils, handling dry or medium moisture levels with ease. Avoid heavy, waterlogged clay soils, as poor drainage is the primary threat to its long-term health.
Maintenance for this Tickseed is notably low. Water sparingly once established, as it tolerates dry periods well. While it spreads slowly by rhizomes, division is only necessary every 2-3 years in formal borders to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
To maximize bloom duration, especially during the heat of mid to late summer, lightly shear the plants. This technique removes spent flowers and sprawling growth, encouraging a fresh flush of blooms well into the autumn. Removing this material also keeps the compact foliage looking tidy.
Landscape Uses
The compact size of Coreopsis SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE, reaching just 1 to 1.5 feet tall and wide, makes it perfect for defining garden edges. Use it along sidewalk edgings or as a neat barrier in border fronts where you need reliable, bright color. Its mounded shape serves as an excellent transition between taller background plants and groundcovers.
Because this Tickseed is highly tolerant of dry soils, it excels in challenging locations such as naturalized areas or cottage gardens where supplemental watering is infrequent. Furthermore, its excellent performance in patio containers means you can bring the bright golden spheres close to seating areas for maximum enjoyment.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
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. SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE is part of the SOLANNA™ series, characterized by compact, mounded plants with dark green foliage and double golden yellow flowers that bloom robustly through fall.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
Potential Problems
The most significant risk for this Tickseed relates to improper soil moisture. Crown rot is a distinct possibility if plants are situated in consistently moist or poorly drained soils, leading to plant collapse. Focus on excellent drainage to mitigate this structural issue.
While generally tough, this Coreopsis can occasionally suffer from common fungal issues like powdery mildew or botrytis, especially in humid conditions. Foliage reportedly shows good resistance to powdery mildew, which is a bonus. If stems start sprawling, particularly after heavy summer rains, utilize the mid-summer shearing technique mentioned in the care section.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Tickseed suitable for?
Coreopsis SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE is hardy and recommended for USDA Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Coreopsis SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE grow?
This perennial typically reaches a mature height and spread between 1 and 1.5 feet.
When does Tickseed bloom?
You can expect vibrant, golden yellow flowers on Coreopsis SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE from June right through to October.
What sun exposure does Coreopsis SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE need?
This plant requires full sun exposure to generate its brightest blooms and maintain its compact form.
Conclusion
The dependable, long-lasting golden color and low-maintenance profile make Coreopsis SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE an essential plant for sunny, dry areas of the garden. This robust Tickseed variety shines in borders and containers, offering excellent drought tolerance once established. Check your local USDA zone today to see if this cheerful perennial is the perfect addition to your warm-season landscape planning.
Companion Planting
Selecting appropriate companions enhances the aesthetic and cultural success of Coreopsis SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE. Pair this golden bloomer with plants that also demand full sun and tolerate dry conditions. Excellent partners include silver foliage plants, such as Artemisia or Lamb’s Ears, which contrast beautifully with the dark green leaves and bright yellow flowers.
Consider pairing it with plants that have different flower shapes to add textural interest to your borders. Lavender, Russian Sage (Perovskia), or Ornamental Grasses provide vertical accents that complement the mounding habit of the Tickseed. Since division is only needed every few years, choosing companions with similar low-water needs simplifies overall garden care.
Propagation Tips
Propagation of Coreopsis SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE is straightforward, primarily through spring division. As the plant spreads slowly by rhizomes, mature clumps can be carefully dug up in early spring before new growth hardens off. Separate the root ball into smaller sections, ensuring each section has a decent amount of healthy roots and foliage buds attached. Replant these divisions immediately at the same depth as the parent plant.
While this genus is often grown from seed, named cultivars like SOLANNA GOLDEN SPHERE are typically propagated vegetatively to maintain their specific desirable traits, such as the double flowers. Division is the best way to increase your stock of this specific hybrid and refresh older clumps that may have become less vigorous over time.
