Coreopsis- Golden Wave Tickseed
Coreopsis basalis
Native to the southern United States and naturalized in Florida, this cheery, yellow wildflower will brighten any garden as an annual. This plant is also popular for butterfly gardens because it is showy, and it is a food source for pollinators.
This bright annual, also known as Dye Flower, was once used by Native Americans for making yellow and orange dyes. The common name "tickseed" comes from the resemblance of the seeds to that particular bug; the genus name Coreopsis, derived from the Greek "koris," makes a similar reference to bedbugs. Hardiness and love of dry soil make the flowers in this family especially valuable to citizens of the state of Florida, who appointed Coreopsis as their official state wildflower in 1991. This plant likes almost any soil type. Save the well amended areas for the fruits and veggies. Coreopsis needs regular watering throughout it's early days, but is very drought tolerant when established. Direct sow in the Fall to let the seeds over-winter for a Spring and Summer bloom. If planting seeds in the Spring or Summer, the seeds need 2-4 weeks of cold/wet stratification.| Days to germination | 10-15 days with Sunlight |
| Days to maturity | 60-80 |
| Plant time | October- March |
| Spacing | 2-4 inches |
| Sun | Full sun |
| Soil temperature | 55-78 degrees F |
| Optimum soil P.H | 6.0-7.5 |
| Height | 16 inches |
| Harvest | May through August |
