Star Tickseed: A Late-Season Native Wildflower That Keeps the Garden Party Going
When most flowers are calling it quits for the season, star tickseed (Coreopsis pubescens var. pubescens) is just getting started. This cheerful native perennial brings bright yellow blooms to your garden when you need them most – during those late summer and early fall months when everything else seems to be winding down.
What Makes Star Tickseed Special?
Star tickseed is a true American native, naturally growing across a impressive swath of the United States. This hardy perennial forb – that’s garden-speak for a non-woody flowering plant – has been brightening up wild spaces from Massachusetts down to Florida and west to Kansas and Texas for centuries.
The plant spreads across these states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia. That’s quite a range for one little wildflower!
Why Your Garden (and Local Wildlife) Will Love It
Star tickseed isn’t just a pretty face – though those sunny yellow daisy-like flowers with their distinctive 8 petals certainly are charming. This native gem is a pollinator magnet, drawing in bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects when many other flowers have already finished blooming. It’s like hosting a late-season buffet for your garden’s most important guests.
The plant’s low-growing, spreading habit makes it perfect for:
- Native plant gardens that celebrate local flora
- Wildflower meadows and naturalized areas
- Cottage gardens that embrace a relaxed, informal look
- Ground cover in sunny spots where you want something more interesting than grass
Growing Star Tickseed: Easier Than You Think
One of the best things about star tickseed is that it’s refreshingly low-maintenance. This native knows how to take care of itself, having evolved to thrive in American growing conditions.
Growing Conditions:
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade (though it blooms best with plenty of sunshine)
- Soil: Well-drained soils of various types – it’s not particularly fussy
- Water: Drought tolerant once established, making it perfect for low-water gardens
- Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 4-9, so it can handle both cold winters and hot summers
Planting and Care Tips
Getting star tickseed established in your garden is straightforward. Plant it in spring after the last frost, giving it room to spread as it matures. The plant may self-seed if conditions are right, gradually creating a natural colony – which is exactly what you want in a wildflower garden.
For maintenance, you can cut the plants back after blooming if you prefer a tidier look, though leaving the seed heads provides food for birds. In spring, you might see new growth emerging from the base, ready to start the cycle all over again.
The Bottom Line
Star tickseed proves that native plants can be both beautiful and practical. It fills a crucial gap in the garden calendar, providing nectar when pollinators need it most, while asking very little from you in return. Plus, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting local ecosystems with plants that truly belong in your landscape.
Whether you’re creating a dedicated native plant garden or just want to add some late-season interest to your existing beds, star tickseed deserves a spot in your garden. After all, who doesn’t want flowers that are both gorgeous and environmentally responsible?
