Coreopsis (Coreopsis spp. is a flowering plant that doesn’t need much care, can survive in dry conditions, and can be used in many ways. Its bright, happy flowers attract beneficial insects, such as pollinators like bees and butterflies. Coreopsis species that grow in the wild have lots of bright yellow flowers. Cultivars, on the other hand, have flowers that are red and other colors, like a more golden yellow. Often called by the common name “tickseed,” coreopsis plants are native to North America. There are a lot of different kinds of perennials that bloom all summer long in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 9. There are some annual coreopsis plants, such as the native California species, Coreopsis californica.
Coreopsis comes in many species and cultivars, and each has its own specific needs. However, most of them do best in full sun and well-drained soil, and they don’t need to be fertilized or trimmed often. But cutting off the spent flower stalks will make many types of coreopsis flowers again and keep the plants from spreading their own seeds. One way to accomplish this is to sheer large plantings in mid to late summer. This promotes a bloom time of early fall and removes unkempt foliage.
With their bright, cheerful flowers in sunny colors like yellow, gold, and red, coreopsis bring joy to any garden. Getting the timing right on cutting these plants back is key to keeping them looking their best year after year. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore when and how to prune coreopsis for optimal health and blooms.
Why Prune Coreopsis?
Pruning accomplishes several important things for coreopsis:
- Removes spent blooms to encourage new flower production
- Keeps plants from self-seeding excessively
- Maintains a compact, shapely form
- Removes damaged growth
- Promotes bloom on some varieties in fall
Proper pruning encourages dense, bushy growth filled with flowers. It prevents legginess and improves the plant’s appearance. Well-timed cuts also stop seed production so coreopsis doesn’t take over your garden!
When to Prune Coreopsis
Coreopsis can be pruned in summer and/or fall depending on your goals
Summer
-
Deadhead individual spent blooms anytime to encourage more flowers
-
Cut back by 1/3 to 1/2 in mid-late summer to shape plants and promote fall blooms on some varieties.
Fall
-
Cut perennial varieties back to within 6 inches of the ground after first frost.
-
Leave annual coreopsis unpruned to allow self-seeding.
-
Mulch crown of perennials in cold climates for winter protection.
How to Prune Coreopsis
Use sharp, clean shears or scissors to prune coreopsis. Make cuts just above leaf nodes or buds. Angle cuts to allow water runoff.
Pruning Step-by-Step
-
Remove spent blooms individually throughout summer by deadheading back to a leaf node.
-
In mid-late summer, cut back plants by up to 50% to shape and compact growth. Make cuts above healthy buds or leaves.
-
After first fall frost, cut perennial varieties back to within 6 inches of the soil. Leave 3-6 inches of stem.
-
Remove all debris from the base of plants. Add mulch if needed for winter protection.
-
Leave annual coreopsis unpruned to allow self-seeding.
-
Water occasionally until ground freezes if soil is dry. Discontinue fertilizing.
-
Remove mulch in spring once all frost danger has passed. Apply fertilizer or compost and resume watering.
Tips by Coreopsis Variety
-
Threadleaf (C. verticillata): Shear in summer to shape dense, bushy 3 ft. plants. Cut back in fall for zone 3-9.
-
Large-flowered (C. grandiflora): Deadhead to extend blooms. Shear by 1/2 in summer. Cut back in fall for zone 3-8.
-
Early Sunrise: Shear by 1/2 in summer. Cut back after frost. Zone 3-9 perennial.
-
Plains coreopsis (C. tinctoria): Prune summer blooms. No fall cut needed for zone 3-9 native.
-
Calliopsis (C. tinctoria): Deadhead summer blooms. No fall cut for zone 6-10 annual.
-
Lance-leaved coreopsis (C. lanceolata): Prune spent blooms. Cut back after frost. Zone 4-9 perennial.
When Not to Cut Back Coreopsis
Avoid pruning coreopsis at the wrong times, which can damage plants:
-
In early spring before new growth emerges
-
In peak summer heat during bloom stage
-
Too severely in fall, leaving less than 3-6 inches
-
In winter while plants are dormant
Common Coreopsis Pruning Questions
Should I cut back coreopsis for winter?
For perennial varieties, yes – cut back to 6 inches after first frost. Leave 3-6 inches of stem for protection. Annual coreopsis can be left for self-seeding.
When should I prune coreopsis after flowering?
Prune spent blooms immediately after flowering concludes by deadheading to a leaf node. For shaping, prune by 1/3 to 1/2 in mid-late summer.
Do I cut coreopsis to the ground in fall?
No, avoid cutting all the way to the ground. Leave 3-6 inches of stem on perennial varieties to protect the crown over winter before new spring growth.
Can I cut back coreopsis too early?
Yes, avoid cutting coreopsis far back too early before spring growth resumes or during peak summer bloom time. This can damage the plant.
Pruning Coreopsis in Summer
Coreopsis plants usually stay short, reaching a height of about 2 feet. Some are even shorter and more compact. Even so, these plants can become leggy and unappealing if allowed to grow too long without a trim. One way to deadhead coreopsis plants is to shear the stems. This can lead to a second round of new flowers in the fall. This type of pruning will also make the plants more shapely and compact.
Some types of coreopsis need this summer pruning more than others. Coreopsis verticillata, or thread leaf coreopsis, is a native perennial plant that grows in thick, bushy clumps that can be up to 3 feet wide and tall. This plant grows back every year in USDA hardiness zones 3 through 9. To keep it neat and contained, it may need to be sheared. Likewise, Coreopsis grandiflora (including the popular cultivar Early Sunrise) grows in clumps to 3 feet tall and wide. It blooms from late spring to late summer and may require summer shearing to keep it compact. More Like This.
To do this, cut the plants down by up to half their height with pruners or hedge shears. While this will remove any unopened flower buds, it also takes care of the legginess issue. Within a few weeks, the plant will be blooming again, usually through late fall.
When Do You Cut Back Coreopsis?
FAQ
Do you cut coreopsis back in the fall?
When should you deadhead coreopsis?
Are Coreopsis good cut flowers?
Taller varieties of coreopsis that bear blooms on upright stems make good cut flowers. Coreopsis is an excellent plant to attract wildlife. Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators visit the flowers and birds eat the seeds. Perennial coreopsis are tough and reliable plants for creating summer colour.
Should I cut back Coreopsis?
Because they grow quickly and can take on a bushy shape, you can prune or shape the plant if desired. You can cut coreopsis back by one-third to one-half after the summer growing season to encourage more growth during spring. Make sure to leave the woody, brown growth and only trim green growth when pruning.
How do you keep Coreopsis blooming?
To encourage continuous blooming, you can cut back during the growing season, staggering sections of your coreopsis flower patch weekly. Deadheading or removing the wilted bloom and stem can keep the plant blooming throughout summer and fall. The plant will not form new flower buds on a stem that held a faded flower.