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Lobed Tickseed Coreopsis auriculata

Previously known as:

  • Coreopsis auriculata var. diversifolia
  • Coreopsis diversifolia
  • Cymbaecarpa auriculata
Phonetic Spelling
kor-ee-OP-sis aw-rik-yoo-LAY-tuh
Description

Mouse-eared tickseed is a native stoloniferous perennial in the aster (Asteraceae) family. It grows easily and is low maintenance, making its long blooms attractive in borders and beds, and it naturalizes easily. It tolerates humidity well and some dry conditions, but it is not as drought tolerant as some other species of Coreopsis. It is resistant to damage by deer.

Deadheading of spent flower stalks is tedious for a large planting, but it will encourage additional bloom. Shear plants in mid-summer to promote a fall rebloom and to tidy lanky unkempt foliage. With ideal growing conditions, it spreads over time to form an attractive mass planting. Do not fear, the spread is easy to check if you need to keep it in line. Divide clumps in the spring to spread around your garden or share with friends.  

This plant was selected as the 1991 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems but crown rot may occur if grown in moist, poorly drained soils. It will sprawl out if grown in moist and/or fertile soils and it will show foliage burn in hot summer. Some cultivars have shown excellent resistance to pythium root rot. See Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot in the Landscape.

 

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Mostly Native Vegetable, Herb and Pollinator Garden Pollinator Garden in Partial Shade Dry Stream Bed Garden in Cabarrus County
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Jethro Tull', 'Nana'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#yellow flowers#nectar plant#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#fire medium flammability#NC native#stolons#gold flowers#deer resistant#dainty#vibrant#small flowers#border planting#ccp#pollinator plant#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#sandy soils tolerant#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#dry soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#Audubon#NC Wildflower of the Year#wildflower#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Jethro Tull', 'Nana'
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#yellow flowers#nectar plant#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#fire medium flammability#NC native#stolons#gold flowers#deer resistant#dainty#vibrant#small flowers#border planting#ccp#pollinator plant#native wildflower#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#sandy soils tolerant#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#dry soils tolerant#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#Audubon#NC Wildflower of the Year#wildflower#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Coreopsis
    Species:
    auriculata
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    VA & KY, s. to GA & LA, east of Mississippi River
    Distribution:
    AL, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    This plant provides nectar for pollinators. Songbirds eat the seed.
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Some cultivars resistant to pythium.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from June to July.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Long-lasting
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Ear-leaved tickseed has daisy-like flowers (to 2” wide) have 8 yellow rays (each having a three-lobed apex) surrounding a yellow center disk. Flowers bloom primarily from April to June atop upright flower stalks rising 18” tall.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Velvety
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Ear-leaved tickseed has basal, hairy, ovate to elliptic leaves (to 3” long) are deep green. Each leaf has a distinctive pair of small lateral lobes at the base of the blade which resembles the shape of ears, hence the common names of ear-leaved tickseed or mouse-ear coreopsis.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Round smooth green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Dry Soil
    Humidity
    Rabbits