With their cheerful daisy-like blooms in shades of yellow gold orange, red and pink, coreopsis offer vibrant color in the summer garden. These classic perennials shine in beds, borders and containers from early summer well into fall. If you’re wondering whether you can plant coreopsis seeds in the fall, read on. We’ll cover the ins and outs of fall planting these popular tickseed flowers.
An Overview of Coreopsis
First, let’s look at some background on coreopsis Also called tickseed, these plants earned their common name from the resemblance of their seeds to ticks. They belong to a genus containing both annual and perennial species
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Coreopsis perennials are long-lived plants that come back year after year. They spread via rhizomatous roots to form attractive clumps.
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Annual coreopsis completes its entire lifecycle in one season. The plants bloom, set seed and die. Some annual types readily reseed.
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Flower colors include sunny yellow, gold, burnt orange, red, pink, white and bicolors. Blooms are daisy-like with a central disc and outer petals.
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Hardy in Zones 3-9. Most coreopsis thrives with full sun exposure and well-drained soil.
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Flowers appear in summer and continue into fall, providing months of color. Deadheading encourages more blooms.
Now let’s look at the pros and cons of fall planting for coreopsis.
The Benefits of Fall Planting Coreopsis Seeds
Fall can actually be an ideal time to get coreopsis seeds started in areas with cold winters. Here are some advantages:
Gives Seeds a Head Start
Planting coreopsis seeds in fall allows time for them to germinate and become established before winter dormancy. They’ll get off to an early start the following spring.
Avoids Spring Rush
You can get seeds planted at leisure in the fall rather than scrambling to plant among spring’s many other gardening tasks.
Extends Bloom Season
Fall-planted coreopsis may bloom a few weeks earlier than spring-sown seeds. You’ll gain more weeks of flowering.
Better Seedling Survival
Seeds that germinate in fall have a higher rate of winter survival than spring-germinated plants. Slow growth over winter hardens them off gradually.
Full Sun Exposure
More abundant sun in fall benefits seed germination and growth before winter slowdown.
Natural Cold Stratification
Winter cold and dampness helps break seed dormancy naturally through stratification. This supports better germination rates when warmth returns.
When to Plant Coreopsis Seeds in Fall
Coreopsis seeds can be direct sown into garden beds from late summer through early fall. However, timing depends on your USDA plant hardiness zone.
In Zones 3-4, plant seeds 8-10 weeks before your average first fall frost so they establish before winter. In warmer Zones 5-9, you can sow seeds 4-6 weeks before the first frost since plants will keep growing longer into winter.
Check your local frost dates and count backwards from the first fall frost to determine your optimal fall planting window.
How to Plant Coreopsis Seeds in Fall
Follow these tips for success with fall-planted coreopsis:
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Prepare a site in full sun with well-drained soil. Amend with compost if needed.
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Direct sow seeds into beds. Don’t cover them; coreopsis needs light to germinate.
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Space seeds 8-12 inches apart to account for growth. Water gently after planting.
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Consider planting perennial and annual varieties for first year flowers from annuals and long-term color from perennials.
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Use row covers over seeded beds for extra frost protection and to moderate winter temperatures.
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In very cold climates, also apply several inches of shredded bark or leaf mulch over beds for added insulation.
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Water sparingly over winter. Avoid frozen or waterlogged soils which can heave plants.
Caring for Coreopsis Seeded in Fall
With proper care, coreopsis sown in fall will thrive:
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Water lightly during winter warm spells so plants don’t break dormancy prematurely.
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Remove row covers in early spring as shoots emerge. Loosen coverings carefully to avoid damage.
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Water and feed with balanced fertilizer once plants are actively growing in spring.
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Weed around seedlings and use mulch to conserve moisture during summer.
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Deadhead spent blooms for continuous flowering from early summer until fall.
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Shear plants by one-third after first flush of flowers to encourage reblooming.
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Leave seedheads on annual varieties to reseed for future years.
Tips for Success with Fall Coreopsis Seeds
Follow these tips to boost your success with fall planting:
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Choose quick-growing annual coreopsis for more first year flowers. Good options include C. tinctoria and C. grandiflora.
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Start seeds in cell packs or pots indoors, then transplant in fall for stronger seedlings. Harden off before transplanting.
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Use row cover fabric over seeded beds to regulate soil temperature and protect from heavy frosts.
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Try winter blooming heath (Erica carnea) for early spring flowers near coreopsis plants.
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Grow coreopsis with spring bulbs like tulips, daffodils or hyacinths for continuous color.
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Mix compost or finely screened leaf mold into soil to improve drainage before planting.
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Mulch around new seedlings after hard frosts to insulate roots from extreme cold.
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Avoid fall fertilizing which can trigger growth too late into winter. Fertilize when plants resume activity in spring.
Ideal Coreopsis Varieties for Fall Planting
Many coreopsis species and cultivars are good choices for fall seeding. Here are some top picks:
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Coreopsis lanceolata – Early blooming perennial with yellow flowers, grows 12-15 inches tall.
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C. grandiflora – Large yellow blooms on annual plants, 18-30 inches tall. Often reseeds.
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C. auriculata ‘Nana’ – Dwarf perennial with yellow blooms, just 4-6 inches tall.
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C. tinctoria – Native annual coreopsis with bold bi-colored blooms in yellow and maroon.
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C. verticillata ‘Moonbeam’ – Popular perennial with pale yellow flowers on airy 12 inch plants.
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C. hybrid ‘Rising Sun’ – Perennial with large golden blooms marked orange at petal bases, 15 inches tall.
Go ahead and sow some coreopsis seeds this fall to enjoy these cheery tickseed flowers next year and for years to come. With proper timing and care, fall planting coreopsis can give you a head start on color in the garden.
Where to Plant Coreopsis Seeds
Whether you are transplanting or directly sowing, choose a well lit area with well-draining soil.
When to Plant Coreopsis Seeds
You can start Coreopsis indoors six to eight weeks before moving it outside after the last killing frost. You can also plant your seeds right in the ground after the last frost, when the ground is no longer frozen.
Coreopsis – Complete Grow and Care Guide
FAQ
Is it too late to plant coreopsis seeds?
Are coreopsis easy to grow from seed?
Do coreopsis seeds need cold stratification?
What do you do with coreopsis in the fall?
When should I plant coreopsis?
Plants in the coreopsis species have a moderate growth rate and are best planted in the spring after all risk of frost has passed. This hardy plant’s perennial varieties grow in USDA zones 2 through 8, dying back after frost and returning in the spring; in the coldest zones, add a few inches of mulch to protect its underground roots.
Can you grow Coreopsis from seed?
Many coreopsis varieties can be grown from seed and often will reseed themselves in your garden. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your area’s projected last frost date, or directly plant seeds in your garden after your last frost. Plant the seeds roughly 1/2-inch deep, and keep the soil lightly moist and warm.
Is Coreopsis a perennial?
Some coreopsis plants are perennials in USDA zones 3–9, while some are annuals. Plant coreopsis in well-draining soil that receives six to eight hours of full sun daily for the best bloom production. The plant tolerates light shade, but the bloom is not as robust. After the last frost in spring, sow coreopsis seeds outdoors in prepared soil.
Can Coreopsis be transplanted outside?
Perennial coreopsis can be transplanted outside anytime between spring and early fall. Coreopsis is often available as a nursery-grown plant. Plant it in spring or early summer in a prepared bed. Dig a hole the same depth as the nursery container and only a little wider. Set the plant in the hole at the same level it was in the container.