Coreopsis leavenworthii is an annual to short-lived perennial with bright yellow flowers with a dark brown center.  The flowers are held upright on tall, leafless stems.  The blooms occur from late spring in north Florida to year-round in south Florida.  Also called Leavenworth’s tickseed, this plant is native to Florida and used in edging and mass planting.  This butterfly-attracting plant will reach a height of 1 to 3 feet and will spread up to 3 feet and has a moderate growth rate.  It loves the sun and prefers well-drained soils.  Rich soils and too much water can cause the plants to topple over.  Removing spent blooms will help to prolong the blooming season.  Coreopsis will reseed itself each year giving you new plants to enjoy.

This article was written by Master Gardener Volunteer Rita Fletcher under supervision of the Master Gardener Volunteer Coordinator and Residential Horticulture Agent Anne Yasalonis.

For more information, contact UF/IFAS Extension Polk County at (863) 519-1041 or visit us online at http://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/polk. The Plant Clinic is open Monday-Friday, 9:00 am-4:00 pm to answer your gardening and landscaping questions. Give us a call, or email us at polkmg@ifas.ufl.edu.

If you are not in Polk County, Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Plant Clinic.

The Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program is a volunteer-driven program that benefits UF/IFAS Extension and the citizens of Florida. The program extends the vision of the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, all the while protecting and sustaining natural resources and environmental systems, enhancing the development of human resources, and improving the quality of human life through the development of knowledge in agricultural, human and natural resources and making that knowledge accessible.

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