Coreopsis: Beekeeper Favorite
Coreopsis has rapidly grown in popularity, with many cultivars and hybridized versions showing up in wild
colors at nurseries across the U.S. These wildflowers are not necessarily “pollinator magnets,” to begin
with, and the breeding of native species for color variation may lead to cultivars that are even less attractive
to pollinators. That said, they are dependable, long-blooming flowers and some species can attract a
diversity (if not an abundance) of pollinators.
Prairie coreopsis (C. palmata), for example, is visited by long-horned bees (Melissodes spp.), small
carpenter bees (Ceratina spp.), leafcutter bees (Megachile spp.), cuckoo bees (Coelioxys spp.), and
sulphur
butterflies.
Beekeepers consider all Coreopsis species to be good honey sources. In the past, some American Indian
tribes applied boiled Coreopsis seeds to painful areas of their bodies in order to relieve ailments such as
rheumatism.” The common name is shared by a wide range of plants who have seeds that easily attach to
skin or clothing of passersby.
Coreopsis is best suited for low-care perennial that attracts a number of specialist pollinators. An
inexpensive option for large scale restoration projects that allows other perennials time to establish.
Lance-leaf Coreopsis waves brightly in late spring and early summer on sunny sites with dry or sandy soil.
The bright yellow, daisy-like flowers are about 1 1/2" in diameter and bloom singly on long stems. The ray
petals have four deep lobes on their margins. Butterflies are regular visitors, and songbirds feed on the
ripe seeds in late summer. This durable plant grows in any well-drained soil, and exults in dry sandy soils.
This species also is commonly called Sand Coreopsis.
Prairie Coreopsis matures to a height of just 2'. It prefers medium to dry soil conditions and sets striking
yellow flowers for 3-4 weeks, usually in June and July. Beekeepers consider all Coreopsis species to be
good honey sources. In the past, some American Indian tribes applied boiled Coreopsis seeds to painful
areas of their bodies in order to relieve ailments such as rheumatism. Other common names in use
include Tickseed, Stiff Tickseed, and Stiff Coreopsis.
As its name implies, Coreopsis tripteris (Tall Coreopsis) stands quite tall reaching heights of 7' and in some
cases up to 9'. Arranged in a flat-topped cluster, the flowers comprise a disk of yellow, deepening to
purple-red. The leaves are divided into three lobes. Tall Coreopsis is aggressive and therefore may not be
suitable for small landscape plantings.
The highly popular Stiff Coreopsis (Coreopsis palmata) sports bright yellow flowers during the dog days of
mid-summer. The underground rhizomes spread and form a dense mat, making it excellent for stabilizing
dry, sunny slopes and even sand dunes! This species is a perfect match for the most difficult dry soils.
Rose Coreopsis is a showy, rare to endangered native of eastern states. Readily propagated, fine, dense
green foliage gives way to numerous small pink flowers with yellow centers in mid-summer. A profuse and
lengthy bloomer, Coreopsis rosea can be cut back in late summer to promote new early Autumn flowers. An
excellent ground cover or border plant, Rose Coreopsis spreads easily, forming attractive patches.