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Similar but less problematic plants:
Thymophylla tenuiloba Thymophylla tenuiloba
Coreopsis lanceolata is often confused with:
Cosmos sulphureus Cosmos sulphureus
Melampodium leucanthum Melampodium leucanthum
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Coreopsis gladiata Sickle tickseed found in Pender County, NC.
Coreopsis major leaves and flowers
Coreopsis verticillata Coreopsis verticillata

Coreopsis lanceolata

Phonetic Spelling
kor-ee-OP-sis lan-see-oh-LAY-tah
Description

Lanceleaf coreopsis is a native wildflower in the Asteraceae (daisy) family that typically grows to 2' tall and occurs in prairies, glades, fields, and roadsides. It is believed native to the south-central US. It is well-established in North Carolina but is probably not native (i.e., it is naturalized). The genus name comes from the Greek words koris meaning "bug" and opsis meaning "like" in reference to the shape of the seed which resembles a bug or tick. The specific epithet means lance-shaped referring to the leaves.

It prefers full sun with moist, well-drained soil but can sprawl if grown in too fertile soil. It thrives in sandy and rocky soils and can be an aggressive self-seeder. Deadheading of spent flowers will help control self-seeding and encourage additional blooms. Division may be needed every 2-3 years to maintain robustness. They can be cut back hard if they become too sprawling.

Lanceleaf coreopsis is resistant to deer, drought, heat and humidity. Use this plant in naturalized areas, meadows, native/pollinator gardens or any area where they can spread.

Many cultivars of this species are available, including hybrids with Coreopsis grandiflora.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Erect herb with opposite, narrow leaves
  • Leaves occasionally with 1-2 linear lateral lobes
  • Heads with 1 row of 8 ray flowers
  • Rays are yellow and notched at apex

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Can get weedy if not maintained.

See this plant in the following landscapes:
Pinehurst Greenway Pollinator Habitat Garden, Moore County HOA Butterfly Garden in Brunswick County Lake Wall Garden Bee Hive Garden, Wake Co
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#gold#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#seeds#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire medium flammability#well-drained soil#summer flowers#deer resistant#naturalizes#border planting#cutting garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#clumping#food source summer#food source nectar#food source pollen#coastal UPL#humidity tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#rocky 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#FACU Piedmont Mountains#bee friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#Audubon#perennial#weed#wildlife friendly#accent#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#gold#full sun tolerant#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#seeds#highly beneficial coastal plants#fire medium flammability#well-drained soil#summer flowers#deer resistant#naturalizes#border planting#cutting garden#spring interest#pollinator plant#clumping#food source summer#food source nectar#food source pollen#coastal UPL#humidity tolerant#sandy soils tolerant#rocky 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#FACU Piedmont Mountains#bee friendly#non-toxic for horses#non-toxic for dogs#non-toxic for cats#Audubon#perennial#weed#wildlife friendly#accent#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Coreopsis
    Species:
    lanceolata
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Southeastern Canada to south Central U.S.A
    Distribution:
    AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY Canada: BC, ON
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Seeds provide food for birds
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Attracts Pollinators
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Crown rot may occur if grown in moist, poorly drained soils.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Medium
  • 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
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    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:
    Achene
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Seeds are cypselae, commonly lacking pappus awns associated with tickseeds that adhere to fibers & skin. Displays from May to July.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    A head on elongated peduncles; heads 1.5-2.5" diam. with one row of ray flowers and numerous disc flowers. Rays yellow, often 8, obovate, conspicuously notch at apex; disc flowers yellow. Bloom from April to June.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Oblanceolate
    Spatulate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Opposite, simple, linear to lanceolate to oblanceolate-linear to narrow spatulate, occasionally with 1-2 small lateral lobes, attenuate to seemingly lacking a petiole. Margins are entire to lobed. They are 3-4 inches long and 1-3 inches across.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Smooth round green stems
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Rock Wall
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Children's Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Cutting Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Small groups
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Humidity
    Poor Soil