It has many names, but calliopsis is known for being a landscape problem-solver and a charming cut flower. The annual (also known as tickseed, golden tickseed, plains coreopsis, garden coreopsis, or goldenwave) is native to the western United States, where it grows in meadows and rocky outcroppings. It's also a top choice for wildflower mixes and prairie plantings because it attracts pollinators, reseeds freely, and adds splashes of sunshine yellow and deep reddish-brown wherever it grows.
Calliopsis is considered an annual, but in the right conditions, it can bloom for a couple of years before dying. It can also self-seed, spreading new plants for years to come—especially if its growth is not managed.
Calliopsis, Tickseed Overview
Where to Plant Calliopsis
Calliopsis prefers moist, well-draining, sandy soil and full sun. At maturity, it stands in upright clumps that stretch from 1 to 3 feet tall, so it’s great for adding texture to the middle of garden borders or beds. However, thanks to its drought-tolerant tendencies, calliopsis is also perfect for those dry, rocky areas along driveways or curbsides where other plants won't grow.
Because calliopsis blooms from summer through fall, a large stand makes a colorful anchor for a meadow garden of native annual and perennial bloomers like black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), coneflower (Echinacea), and aster (Aster spp.). Enrich the meadow garden's habitat qualities by planting nearby native grasses (like bluestem, switchgrass, or prairie dropseed) that will provide food and shelter to wildlife species if the plants are allowed to stand tall through winter.
How and When to Plant Calliopsis
Start calliopsis seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected spring frost or sow seeds directly in the garden in the spring after the last frost date. If you live in a region with mild, moderate winters, you also have the option of direct sowing the seeds in the fall. To do so, simply scatter some calliopsis seeds over the soil and water them lightly. This tough plant will take root and bloom a few weeks later.
If you find nursery-grown calliopsis plants, you can plant them whenever they are available, but it’s best to wait until after the last frost. When you are ready, just dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and deep enough to keep the crown of the root ball at the same level in the soil as it was in its container. Before placing your plant in the ground, rake apart the roots with your fingers to loosen them up. Press the soil firmly around the roots of the plant to remove any air holes and water the plant daily for 2 to 3 weeks until it is well established.
Calliopsis Care Tips
Calliopsis produces airy, daisy-like blossoms throughout the summer with little to no assistance. The North American native annual prefers light, sandy soils but can grow in very poor soil and rocky outcrops.
Light
Calliopsis is a prodigious bloomer that thrives best in full sun. To encourage blooming, make sure your plants get at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Soil and Water
Calliopsis is easily grown in almost any soil that is well-drained but prefers neutral, sandy soil. It can, however, tolerate poor, rocky soil and loamy soil with medium moisture.
Established calliopsis plants can get by with just natural rainfall in most regions, but if you live in a particularly arid region, give your plants supplemental watering whenever the soil dries out at a depth of 2 to 4 inches.
Temperature and Humidity
Calliopsis is native to hot, dry climates, so it grows well in hot, sunny weather and tolerates occasional drought-like conditions with ease. That said, it can also tolerate humid, wet weather if the soil it is growing in has ample drainage.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is not required for calliopsis and may cause the plant to spend its energy growing leggy instead producing flowers.
Pruning
As an annual, calliopsis doesn’t need pruning, but it freely self-seeds in most growing conditions and may require maintenance to prevent unwanted volunteers. Rogue seedlings are easy to remove, but the chore can be extensive if you have a large stand of self-seeding plants. Fortunately, you can limit self-seeding by deadheading spent flowers—which will also encourage a second round of flowering.
Pests and Problems
The most common issues with calliopsis are mildew and root rot—which often stem from overwatering or placing your plants in soggy, poorly-draining soil. Snails can also be a problem, but they are easily removed by hand.
In some regions, the coreopsis beetle can feed on calliopsis (and other coreopsis plants) leaving behind skeletonized leaves. Like snails, coreopsis beetles are best controlled by hand-picking them off the plants, but they are most active at night when temperatures are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to Propagate Calliopsis
Calliopsis is easily grown from seed, but if you are looking to systematically propagate a specific calliopsis plant, division is the best method. To do so, dig up your calliopsis plant in the spring and use a sharp tool to divide the crown into three or four equal parts. Be sure each section has a system of roots and multiple shoots. You can plant each section immediately in different sections of your garden.
More Coreopsis Types
Coreopsis grandiflora 'Early Sunrise'
This variety is a compact perennial commonly called large-flowered tickseed. It boasts yellow daisy-like semi-double blossoms on slender, erect stems. It is hardy in Zones 4-9.
Coreopsis rosea
Coreopsis rosea features pink blossoms with yellow centers. It has linear fine-textures leaves with an airy appearance and grows in Zones 3-8.
Calliopsis Companion Plants
Aster
Calliopsis is actually a member of the Aster family, so it makes sense that the two would play well together in a garden. Perennial aster—which gets its name from the Latin word for “star”—can grow in full sun to partial sun and likes a bed of moist, well-draining soil. Like calliopsis, aster fares best in Zones 3-9 and tends to bloom in the summer and fall—although some varieties of aster will bloom in the spring. Aster also ranges in size from 1 foot to 6 feet tall, so whatever your landscape requires, chances are there is a variety that will fit your needs.
Bee Balm
Whatever you call it—bee balm, monarda, bergamot, or Oswego tea—this sun-loving perennial is a sure bet for bringing pollinators to the garden. Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of full sun exposure each day and give your bee balm plants ample air circulation to prevent powdery mildew from taking hold. Bee balm is hardy in Zones 3-9 and grows to be about 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide in ideal conditions. It can, however, self-seed and crowd out garden bed neighbors if left unattended. It’s best to manage its growth by regularly dividing the plants and collecting the seed heads before they drop.
Blanket Flower
Blanket flowers are self-sufficient perennials that are basically maintenance-free once established. They thrive in Zones 3-10 and are well-adapted to poor soils and severe drought. Because of this, they require minimal supplemental watering and are ideal for drought-tolerant gardens and gardens with poor, dry soils. As soon as blanket flowers bloom in early summer, they often don’t stop until frost arrives. In fact, they often get so busy blooming, they forget to store up energy for the next year. To keep your blanket flower plants from wasting their energy on new blooms, you can pinch off new blooms in late fall.
Coneflower
Coneflower plants are summer and fall bloomers that come in bright shades of orange, yellow, red, purple, white, and deep pink. There are even varieties that feature lime green center cones. Coneflowers require lots of sun and will grow leggy (or plagued with foliar disease) if planted in the shade. They are a popular choice for pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, and other lush landscapes and they are hardy in Zones 3-9.
Yarrow
If you are looking for a rugged perennial that shrugs off cold winters, weathers hot and humid summers, and cheerfully blooms in poor soils, look no further than yarrow. With its fern-like foliage and colorful flowers in shades of yellow, orange, pink, red, and white, yarrow is a popular choice for cottage and wildflower gardens in Zones 3-10. Yarrow will grow aggressively and can self-seed if left unchecked, but you can keep it in check by dividing the plant occasionally and by deadheading the blooms.
Garden Plans for Calliopsis
Calliopsis is considered part of the Coreopsis genus, and both are members of the Aster family. They are so similar, in fact, that many coreopsis and calliopsis plants are known by the same nicknames. You can use these parallels to your advantage and substitute calliopsis in many of the places you might use coreopsis—such as this easy-care, sun-loving garden plan. Sunshine is the key element for this multilayered design. As a matter of fact, the brighter the space, the better for colorful companions like coneflower, blazing star, lavender, and hollyhock.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is calliopsis toxic to humans?Calliopsis is not considered toxic to humans or pets, so it is safe to use in areas where families and animals play.
Calliopsis is not considered toxic to humans or pets, so it is safe to use in areas where families and animals play.
- Can calliopsis be grown in containers?Like coreopsis, calliopsis can be grown in containers if you select a container that offers ample drainage. Choose a pot that is several inches wider than your nursery-grown plant or place your seeds in a container that is at least 8 to 10 inches deep and wide. Place your potted calliopsis in an area that receives lots of sunlight (like a sunny patio) and once it is established, water your plant only if the top several inches of soil feel dry.
Like coreopsis, calliopsis can be grown in containers if you select a container that offers ample drainage. Choose a pot that is several inches wider than your nursery-grown plant or place your seeds in a container that is at least 8 to 10 inches deep and wide. Place your potted calliopsis in an area that receives lots of sunlight (like a sunny patio) and once it is established, water your plant only if the top several inches of soil feel dry.
- Why is calliopsis sometimes called tickseed?Calliopsis (and coreopsis) are commonly called tickseed because the tiny seeds of the plant are said to resemble ticks. Fortunately, the plants do not attract their namesake pest.
Calliopsis (and coreopsis) are commonly called tickseed because the tiny seeds of the plant are said to resemble ticks. Fortunately, the plants do not attract their namesake pest.