Family: Asteraceae
Common name: Lance-leaved coreopsis, Lanceleaf coreopsis, Sand coreopsis, Lanceleaf tickseed, Longstalk Coreopsis
Lance-leaved coreopsis are wild plants that can grow rapidly covering grasslands, prairies, or even roadsides with bright yellow flowers. The flowers are extended high on stalks that rise way above the leaves, attracting bees, butterflies, insects, and small birds to it. This makes them ideal for butterfly gardens, and agricultural land where you want pollinators are arrive quickly.
Lance-leaved coreopsis plants can reach a height of 60 cm, with a thick tuft of leaves that are thin and narrow. Lower leaves are simple with smooth margins, whereas the leaves at the top could be pinnately lobed.
The tapering shape of the leaves gives the plant its name ‘lanceolata’. The name Coreopsis means ‘bug-like’ referring to the shape and size of the seeds.
These plants are very sturdy growing well in variety of weather and soil conditions. They prefer well-drained soil, though the rhizomatous roots can spread even in clayey soil. Lance-leaved coreopsis plants are considered perennials since the parent plants can produce small plants from root rhizomes, helping them spread quickly over large areas.
These plants are considered dangerously invasive in some parts of the world, though they are also garden favorites since they attract pollinators with their bright, beautiful flowers.
The flowers contain about 8 ray florets and well as numerous disk florets, and reaches a diameter of 6-8 cm. After pollination, the plant produces small fruits that are about 3 mm long. Though they are native to the American continent, Lance-leaved coreopsis plants have been introduced to other countries as ornamental plants.
The plants bloom abundantly through summer and spring when they are placed in direct sunlight. Plants grown in the shade tend to become tall and lanky, producing very few flowers. Regular watering and fertilization can help yield more flowers.
These plants are generally not affected by pests, making them good starter plants for amateur gardeners. Deadheading or removal of dead flowers can keep the plant beautiful and bushy.
They can be grown as hedge plants, but care has to taken to ensure that they do not take over the entire garden. Flowers can be kept in vases as cut flowers, though they do not last very long.
Propagation is through seeds, and root division. Large clumps can be split gently into multiple plants and planted separately.
