Tickseed (Coreopsis 'Tequila Sunrise')
Coreopsis 'Tequila Sunrise' Tickseed offers bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with maroon centers. Low-maintenance perennial for sunny, dry areas.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’ is a highly valued herbaceous perennial prized for its consistent, bright bloom display throughout the summer months. This cultivar of Tickseed features striking daisy-like flowers, typically yellow with a distinct maroon eye, rising above attractive foliage. Gardeners appreciate this compact plant for its low maintenance requirements and excellent tolerance for heat and drier conditions once established.
Originating as a hybrid between C. Lanceolata and C. Grandiflora, Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’ offers reliable performance suitable for sunny borders and robust garden settings. Its overall structure remains neat, providing long-lasting color, making it a staple in mixed perennial displays and cottage gardens where low fuss is key.
The foliage itself adds interest, as the typically yellow-green leaves of this particular Tickseed can develop attractive red tints as autumn approaches, extending its seasonal appeal beyond the main flowering period. This dependable nature ensures that Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’ remains a popular choice for reliable summer texture and color.
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: May to August
- Bloom Description: Yellow with marron eye
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Plant Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’ in spring or fall when conditions are mild, ensuring it receives full sun exposure for the best flower production. This Tickseed thrives in well-drained soils, which is critical, as the plant struggles in overly moist or compacted ground. Its culture is generally easy; it handles heat, humidity, and drought well, making it extremely beneficial for water-wise gardening designs.
Water thoroughly upon initial planting, then allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings; it prefers dry to medium moisture levels afterward. Fertilization is rarely necessary; excessive feeding can encourage lush foliage growth at the expense of blooms. To encourage a longer season of color, shear the plants back moderately in mid to late summer, which tidies up any sprawling growth and prompts a flush of fall rebloom.
Clumps of this hybrid coreopsis can spread via rhizomes, so division may be necessary every 2-3 years, particularly when used in formal borders, to maintain vigor and plant separation. Division is best performed in the spring. Remember that while many Coreopsis species produce viable seed, ‘Tequila Sunrise’ generally does not, so propagation relies on division or purchasing new plants.
Landscape Uses
Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’ is exceptionally versatile, excelling anywhere dependable, low-growing perennial color is needed. It serves perfectly as an edging plant along sidewalks or paths due to its compact 1 to 1.5-foot height, providing a neat, softening transition to hardscape. These plants are also effective when used toward the front of perennial borders where their cheerful blooms can brighten the edge of a planting scheme.
For a more relaxed aesthetic, consider using Tickseed in naturalized areas, cottage gardens, or wild gardens where its tough nature allows it to blend seamlessly with less demanding companions. Furthermore, Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’ adapts well to patio containers, offering bright, long-lasting color that thrives on sunny decks or balconies, provided adequate drainage is ensured.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
The genus name Coreopsis is derived from Greek words meaning “bug” and “like,” referring to the shape of its seed. Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’ is a compact hybrid noted for its yellow and green variegated leaves, which turn red tints in autumn. Solitary, bright yellow, daisy-like flowers, marked with maroon near the center, bloom prolifically atop slender stems, peaking in late spring and early summer.
Tolerances
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
Potential Problems
The most significant risk for Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’ is crown rot if planted in poorly drained or consistently moist soil, so drainage enhancement is paramount during planting. Stems occasionally sprawl, particularly when conditions are very hot and humid combined with heavy summer rains, which may necessitate light shearing for tidiness. While generally pest-free, gardeners should watch for uncommon fungal issues like powdery mildew or botrytis, which are often managed by ensuring good air circulation around the plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Tickseed suitable for?
Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’ is suitably hardy for gardening in USDA Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’ grow?
This Tickseed typically matures to a height between 1 and 1.5 feet tall, with a similar spread of 1 to 1.5 feet wide, maintaining a compact form.
What sun exposure does Tickseed need?
For optimal blooming and robust health, Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’ requires full sun exposure throughout the day.
When does Tickseed bloom?
The primary bloom period for this perennial is from May through August, featuring showy yellow flowers accented with a marron eye.
Conclusion
The Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’ Tickseed offers superb value with its low maintenance needs and extended season of cheerful, daisy-like flowers in full sun locations. Its tolerance for dry soils makes it an excellent, reliable performer across USDA Zones 5 to 9. Plan to incorporate this vibrant Coreopsis into your sunny borders this spring to enjoy its drought-resistant beauty.
Companion Planting
When designing a border featuring Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’, choose companions that share similar requirements for sun and dry to medium moisture to ensure uniform health. Plants that contrast nicely in texture or color can make the yellow blooms pop. Consider pairing this Tickseed with Russian Sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia) for vertical height and silvery contrast, or use low-growing Sedums which also thrive in lean, dry soil conditions.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Spring is the ideal time for dividing established clumps of Coreopsis ‘Tequila Sunrise’ to rejuvenate the plants and prevent overcrowding, setting them up for robust summer flowering. In the heat of mid to late summer, apply a light shearing to remove spent flowers and sprawling stems; this simple action encourages a significant flush of new blooms extending into the early fall. Since this plant handles drought well, watering needs are minimal thereafter, requiring deep, infrequent saturation only during severe dry spells.
