Coreopsis Lightning Bug (Tickseed)

Loved by bees and butterflies, Coreopsis ‘Lightning Bug’ (Tickseed) is a long-blooming perennial boasting masses of large, bright gold daisies adorned with a ruby-red eye from early summer to fall. Creating an incredible floral display, the blossoms are produced in such great quantities that they literally cover the foliage.

Loved by bees and butterflies, Coreopsis 'Lightning Bug' (Tickseed) is a long-blooming perennial boasting masses of large, bright gold daisies adorned with a ruby-red eye from early summer to fall. Creating an incredible floral display, the blossoms are produced in such great quantities that they literally cover the foliage. Easy to grow, this tickseed is perfect for sunny perennial borders, mass plantings or patio containers.

  • Grows up to 10-12 in. tall (25-30 cm) and 15 in. across (37 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in dry to medium moisture, well-drained soils. Tolerates poor and rocky soils, heat, humidity and drought.
  • Easy to grow, relatively pest and disease free, this Coreopsis is a favorite of bees and butterflies but is ignored by deer.
  • Very versatile, it is a welcomed addition to beds and borders, cottage gardens, wildflower gardens and does great in containers. Effective as an accent plant and spectacular in mass plantings.
  • Keep an eye out for slugs, snails or crown rot if grown in poorly drained soils .
  • Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. Midsummer shearing (after the first flush of flowers) should help tidy up the plant and promote a fall rebloom.
  • Cut old stems back to their bases as they die back at the end of the year.
  • Clumps may be divided every 2-3 years to maintain robustness.
  • Propagate by division in the early spring before new growth begins.

Requirements

Hardiness 5
– 10

Heat Zones 1
– 9

Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Coreopsis
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 10"
– 1'
(25cm
– 30cm)
Spread 1'
– 2'
(30cm
– 60cm)
Spacing 15″ (37cm)
Water Needs Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Deer, Drought, Rabbit
Attracts Bees, Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden