Audubon® Plains Tickseed

It's electric! Not for the faint of heart, Plains Coreopsis lights up gardens in early to mid-summer with its flashy flowers. The brassy yellow blossoms, each stamped with a maroon bullseye, are borne in such profusion that you can barely see the wispy green foliage underneath. Pollinators love the bold blooms; bees, butterflies, and beneficial wasps, flies, and beetles will eagerly collect their nectar and pollen. When the fiery flowers are spent, finches and sparrows descend to forage on the seeds that follow. Try Plains Coreopsis in mixed borders, cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, cutting gardens, or anyplace you’d like to have a jolt of color.

Most abundant in the Plains states, from North Dakota in the North to Texas in the South, Plains Coreopsis is originally native to that region, but it has naturalized in almost all 50 states. Welcomed into gardens, this easy-to-grow and readily reseeding annual has escaped into the surrounding countryside. In New Mexico, the Zuni people once valued Plains Coreopsis as a dye plant. Its flowers yield a rusty orange dye for coloring textiles. The Zuni also used the plant to brew a special herbal tea that they believed would help child-bearing women have daughters.

“Coreopsis” comes from the Greek words for “looks like a bug.” Another common name for Coreopsis is Tickseed. These names actually refer to Beggars Tick, a plant that used to be classified as a Coreopsis. Its seeds have two sharp prongs that enable them to latch on to animal fur, like a tick. Plains Coreopsis also goes by the name “Dyer’s Tickseed,” and in the South, it is called “Calliopsis,” which means “beautiful appearance.”

Audubon is devoted to protecting birds and the places they need, while Bower & Branch is devoted to the growth of true native trees and plants–no cultivars or hybrids. Together, we strive to unite communities in conservation and inspire individuals to cultivate a better world for birds starting in their own backyards, balconies, or patios. By guiding and recommending trees and plants truly native and beneficial to your region, we can really start to make a difference.

What is the definition of Native?

“In the United States, a native plant is defined as one that was naturally found in a particular area before European colonization. Native plants are the foundation of a region’s biodiversity, providing essential food sources and shelter for birds, especially those threatened by the changing climate. Since native plants are adapted to local precipitation and soil conditions, they generally require less upkeep, therefore helping the environment and saving you time, water, and money.” – The National Audubon Society

Learn how you can help birds in your home and community through Audubon’s Plants for Birds program.

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