Tall Tickseed: The Late-Summer Native That’ll Tower Over Your Garden
If you’re looking for a native wildflower that knows how to make a statement, meet tall tickseed (Coreopsis tripteris). This impressive perennial doesn’t mess around – it can shoot up to 8 feet tall and delivers a spectacular show of golden-yellow blooms just when many other flowers are calling it quits for the season.
What Makes Tall Tickseed Special
Tall tickseed is a true American native, naturally occurring across a huge swath of North America. You’ll find this beauty growing wild from Canada down through the eastern and central United States, including Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the provinces of Ontario and Quebec.
As a herbaceous perennial forb, tall tickseed lacks woody stems but makes up for it with impressive height and longevity. Each year, it emerges from the ground to put on its towering display before dying back to the roots in winter.
Garden Appeal and Design Role
What really sets tall tickseed apart is its timing and stature. While most garden flowers are winding down in late summer, this native is just getting started. From August through October, it produces clusters of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with eight distinctive petals that practically glow in the autumn light.
In garden design, tall tickseed works beautifully as:
- A dramatic backdrop in perennial borders
- A natural screen or privacy planting
- A key player in prairie and meadow gardens
- An excellent choice for rain gardens and naturalized areas
- Late-season color in wildlife gardens
Perfect Garden Settings
This native thrives in several garden styles:
- Prairie gardens: Right at home with other native grasses and wildflowers
- Naturalized landscapes: Perfect for that wild look that requires minimal intervention
- Wildlife gardens: Provides crucial late-season nectar and seeds
- Rain gardens: Its facultative wetland status means it can handle both wet and dry conditions
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
While tall tickseed may not be a primary food source for large wildlife (providing only 2-5% of their diet), it plays a valuable supporting role in the ecosystem. The bright blooms attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators during a time when many other flowers have finished blooming. Come fall and winter, the seed heads provide food for birds, particularly goldfinches who absolutely love tickseed seeds.
Growing Conditions and Care
One of the best things about tall tickseed is how easygoing it is. This native adapts to a wide range of conditions:
Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade (though it blooms best with at least 6 hours of direct sun)
Soil: Not picky at all! It tolerates everything from clay to loam, and handles both moist and moderately dry conditions. Its facultative wetland status means it’s equally happy in wetter areas or regular garden soil.
Hardiness: Thrives in USDA zones 4-8, making it suitable for most of the continental United States
Spacing: Give plants about 2-3 feet apart – they’ll spread naturally over time through underground rhizomes
Planting and Care Tips
Getting tall tickseed established is refreshingly straightforward:
- When to plant: Spring or early fall work equally well
- Soil prep: No special soil amendments needed – this native is tough
- Watering: Water regularly the first year to establish roots, then it’s quite drought tolerant
- Support: In windy locations or rich soils, you might want to stake the tallest stems
- Deadheading: Remove spent flowers to encourage continued blooming, or leave them for the birds
- Winter care: Cut back to 4-6 inches in late fall or early spring
A Few Things to Keep in Mind
Tall tickseed is generally well-behaved, but here are a few considerations:
- It can spread via underground rhizomes, so give it room to roam or be prepared to divide clumps every few years
- In very rich, fertile soils, it might get even taller and require staking
- It’s not a plant for formal, manicured gardens – it has a naturally wild, relaxed appearance
The Bottom Line
If you want a native plant that delivers big impact with minimal fuss, tall tickseed deserves a spot in your garden. It provides crucial late-season blooms when pollinators need them most, offers food for wildlife, and creates a stunning golden display just when you thought the garden season was over. Plus, once established, it’s practically maintenance-free – exactly what every busy gardener needs.
Whether you’re creating a prairie garden, adding height to a perennial border, or simply want to support native wildlife, tall tickseed is a reliable performer that’ll come back year after year, getting better with age.
