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Tall coreopsis is good for use in conservation and rain gardens. Attracts pollinators.

Tall coreopsis is good for use in conservation and rain gardens. Attracts pollinators. USDA, NRCS. 2012. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 5 October 2012). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

Coreopsis tripteris

Tall coreopsis

Native to North America


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FIRST IMPRESSIONS:   Coreopsis tripteris is a tall and stately perennial with handsome foliage and lovely yellow flowers.  Leaves are arranged in opposite pairs and are deeply divided into narrow segments that appear to be odd-pinnately compound.  From mid-summer until autumn the stems are topped by a glowing daisies with purple or red-brown centers.  This resilient plant thrives in sunny sites with moist or mesic soil.

HABITAT & HARDINESS:  Coreopsis tripteris is native to eastern North America.  Plants occur in Ontario and Quebec, from Pennsylvania to the Florida panhandle and west to Wisconsin and eastern Texas.

This species is indigenous to disturbed or undisturbed sites including black soil prairies, sand prairies, savannas, open woods, stream banks, meadows, limestone glades, old fields, roadsides and railroad right-of-ways. 

Plants are hardy from USDA Zones 4-9.

PLANT DESCRIPTION:   Coreopsis tripteris is a robust perennial wildflower that forms colonies due to its free-seeding nature and long rhizomes.

The opposite leaves are deeply dissected into 3-5 narrow segments.  Leaves on the lower half of the stem are larger and upper leaves are smaller and sometimes solitary.

The individual leaf segments are about 5” long and linear or narrowly elliptical.  They are entire with a wedge shaped base and pointed tip.

The stems terminate in a striking flower display.  Blooms can be solitary or arranged in large loose cyme-like clusters.  They are held on graceful stalks or peduncles up to 10” long.

The individual flowers are daisy-like and about 2” across.  They consist of a ring of 8 clear yellow ray florets surrounding a dense central cluster of maroon to purplish disk florets.

Plants bloom for about a month from mid to late summer into the autumn.  Clusters of dark achene seed follow.

This plant is generally 4-7’ tall with a 2-8’ spread.

CULTURAL & MAINTENANCE NEEDSCoreopsis tripteris flourishes in sun or light shade.  In shade, plants tend to be open and leggy with a tendency to lean toward the sun.  In open prairies or sunny garden situations plants are more floriferous and sturdier with dense foliage.

Plants thrive in loam, clay sand and gravelly soils and tolerate drought, humidity, heat and controlled burns. 

This tall boy is not easily shaded out by neighboring plants.  It has no serious pests but foliage is occasionally nibbled by deer. 

In garden situations, deadheading will extend the bloom period and prevent unwanted seedlings. 

LANDSCAPE USES:  This is a good choice for Meadows, Prairies or Wildlife Gardens. Plants are also used as Accents or Butterfly Nectar Plants.  This species is most impressive if planted or allowed to grow in a loose colony, Grouping or Mass.  Coreopsis tripteris has Showy Blooms and is appropriate for Cottage Gardens, Water-wise Landscapes, Low Maintenance Plantings, Perennial Borders and Roadsides.

COMPANION & UNDERSTUDY PLANTS:  Try pairing Coreopsis tripteris with tall prairie grasses like Andropogon gerardii, Panicum virgatum and Sorghastrum nutans.  This species also mingles well with blue, purple and lavender flowering prairie species like:  Aster laevis, Liatris aspera, Monarda fistulosa and Physostegia virginiana.

Heliopsis helianthoides has yellow daisy flowers and similar cultural needs and would be a suitable substitute.

TRIVIA:   Flowers are frequented by butterflies, skippers and native bees. Plants host caterpillars of several moth spcies.  Songbirds feast on the seed.


Height:

4-7 ft

Spread:

2-8 ft

Spacing:

4-8 ft

USDA Hardiness Zone:

4-9

Bloom Color:

Yellow

Coreopsis tripteris Characteristics

Attracts Wildlife

  • Songbirds
  • Pollinators
  • Butterflies

Attributes

  • East-Coast Native
  • Drought Tolerant
  • Cut Flower
  • Naturalizing

Exposure

  • Full Sun

Deer Resistant

  • Deer Resistant

Flowering Months

  • October
  • September
  • August

Foliage Color

  • Green

Salt Tolerance

  • Low

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Fall
  • Summer
  • Spring

Soil Moisture Preference

  • Moist to Dry

Interesting Notes:

For more information on this plant, visit the USDA PLANTS Database: http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=COTR4


Plants that work well with Coreopsis tripteris ''

Field pussytoes Field pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta)
Butterfly weed Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Downy wood mint Downy wood mint (Blephilia ciliata)
Switch grass Switch grass (Panicum virgatum)
Indian grass Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
Smooth blue aster Smooth blue aster (Aster laevis)
Wild bergamot Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Mistflower, hardy ageratum Mistflower, hardy ageratum (Eupatorium coelestinum)
Three-nerved Joe pye Three-nerved Joe pye (Eupatorium dubium)
Joe pye weed Joe pye weed (Eupatorium fistulosum)
Spotted Joe pye weed Spotted Joe pye weed (Eupatorium maculatum)
Switch grass Switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Cloud Nine')
Switch grass Switch grass (Panicum virgatum 'Heavy Metal')
Little bluestem - 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year Little bluestem - 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Standing Ovation PP 25202')
Little bluestem Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium 'Prairie Munchkin PP 26335')
Little bluestem - 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year Little bluestem - 2022 Perennial Plant of the Year (Schizachyrium scoparium 'The Blues')
Big bluestem Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
Scarlet Bee Balm Scarlet Bee Balm (Monarda didyma)
Jacob Cline Bee Balm Jacob Cline Bee Balm (Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline')
Eastern beebalm Eastern beebalm (Monarda bradburiana)
Hoary mountain mint Hoary mountain mint (Pycnanthemum incanum)
Short-toothed mountain mint Short-toothed mountain mint (Pycnanthemum muticum)
Brown-eyed Susan Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba)
Wild petunia Wild petunia (Ruellia humilis)
Gardenview Scarlet beebalm Gardenview Scarlet beebalm (Monarda didyma 'Gardenview Scarlet')

Substitutions for Coreopsis tripteris

Ox-eye sunflower Ox-eye sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides)