Coreopsis 'Super Star' - Tickseed

Coreopsis 'Super Star' is an exceptional interspecific hybrid tickseed that commands attention with the largest flowers in the Coreopsis genus. This award-winning cultivar represents a significant advancement in perennial breeding, combining extraordinary floral display with the bulletproof durability that gardeners have long appreciated in native tickseed species. As a hybrid selection, 'Super Star' delivers dramatic ornamental impact while maintaining the low-maintenance characteristics that make Coreopsis such a valuable garden workhorse.

The defining feature of this cultivar is its spectacular bicolor blooms, which measure an impressive two and a half to three inches across—notably larger than typical Coreopsis flowers. Each blossom displays bright lemon-yellow petals with delicately toothed edges that fade to lighter yellow at the tips, creating a luminous halo effect. The petals surround a striking crimson-red to deep burgundy ring that encircles a golden-yellow central disk, producing a bold bulls-eye pattern that captivates from a distance. These substantial flowers are borne in profusion atop slender stems that rise above the foliage, creating a floating effect that adds movement and lightness to the garden composition. The extended bloom season stretches from early summer through autumn, with the potential for flowers to persist into winter in mild climates. When spent blooms are regularly deadheaded or plants are sheared back mid-season, 'Super Star' responds with enthusiastic flushes of fresh flowers, maintaining its vibrant display for months on end.

The foliage of 'Super Star' forms a tidy, compact mound of bright green leaves that remain attractive throughout the growing season. Unlike the broader-leaved Coreopsis species, this hybrid features thread-like, finely textured foliage similar to threadleaf tickseed (Coreopsis verticillata) cultivars, giving the plant an airy, delicate appearance that contrasts beautifully with the bold flowers. The foliage grows densely right to the ground, eliminating the need for facer plants in front borders and creating a neat, self-sufficient presence in the landscape. At maturity, 'Super Star' reaches twelve to fourteen inches in height, extending to approximately sixteen inches when in full bloom, with an equal or slightly wider spread of sixteen to eighteen inches, forming a well-proportioned mounded habit that integrates seamlessly into garden designs.

Hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9, 'Super Star' thrives across a broad geographic range and demonstrates remarkable adaptability to varying climate conditions. This cultivar is a confirmed sun-worshipper that performs best when planted in locations receiving full sun exposure throughout the day. While it may tolerate light shade, optimal flowering and compact growth habit are achieved with abundant sunlight. 'Super Star' shows notable heat tolerance and actually flourishes in the hottest months of summer, continuing to produce flowers when many perennials falter. Once established, this tickseed exhibits excellent drought resistance and requires only average moisture to maintain vigor, making it an outstanding choice for water-wise landscapes and gardens in areas with summer dry spells.

Soil preferences are refreshingly undemanding, as 'Super Star' actually performs best in average to poor soils with good drainage. This cultivar is not particular about soil pH and adapts readily to various soil types, including sandy, loamy, and even rocky substrates. The critical factor is drainage—while 'Super Star' appreciates consistent moisture during establishment, it will not tolerate standing water or consistently soggy conditions, which can lead to crown rot. The ability to thrive in lean soils makes this an ideal selection for challenging sites where richer-feeding perennials struggle, and it performs admirably in roadside plantings, hellstrip gardens, and other locations with less-than-ideal soil conditions.

In the landscape, 'Super Star' offers remarkable versatility and can be deployed in numerous garden applications. Its compact stature and long blooming period make it an exceptional front-of-border selection, where the vivid bicolor flowers can be appreciated up close. The plant works beautifully as an edging along pathways and driveways, creating a cheerful, welcoming procession of color that greets visitors throughout the growing season. For naturalistic plantings, 'Super Star' integrates seamlessly into meadow designs and prairie-style gardens, where its extended bloom time provides sustained color and its heat tolerance ensures performance in exposed conditions. The compact size and manageable spread also make this cultivar an excellent groundcover for sunny slopes and rocky hillsides where erosion control and visual interest are desired. Container gardeners will find 'Super Star' to be an outstanding performer in pots, where it serves as an ideal filler in mixed plantings or commands attention as a solo specimen in larger containers placed on patios and decks.

When designing with 'Super Star,' consider companion plantings that complement its bold yellow and red color scheme while appreciating similar cultural conditions. Ornamental grasses such as 'Shenandoah' switchgrass or purple fountain grass provide textural contrast and echoing burgundy tones that harmonize with the flower centers. Purple-flowered perennials like Salvia nemorosa cultivars, Nepeta selections, or Liatris species create dynamic color combinations that energize sunny borders. For extended seasonal interest, pair 'Super Star' with late-summer and fall bloomers like Sedum, Aster, and ornamental grasses that continue the show as Coreopsis winds down its display.

Maintenance requirements are minimal, contributing to 'Super Star's' reputation as an easy-care perennial. During the establishment period, provide regular watering to encourage deep root development, but once settled into the garden, this cultivar requires little supplemental irrigation except during extended drought. In late winter or very early spring before new growth emerges, cut the previous season's foliage back to just above ground level to tidy the plant and make way for fresh growth. Leave the seedheads in place throughout fall and winter to provide food for finches and other seed-eating birds, only removing them during the spring cleanup. For continuous flowering, deadhead spent blooms regularly throughout the summer, or opt for a more efficient approach by shearing plants back by one-third mid-season to stimulate a robust rebloom period. Fertilization needs are modest—a light application of balanced organic fertilizer or compost in late winter or early spring provides adequate nutrition, though 'Super Star' actually flowers most profusely when not over-fed. During initial planting, incorporating a root stimulant or a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as 4-3-3 helps establish strong root systems without promoting excessive vegetative growth at the expense of flowers.

The ecological value of 'Super Star' is substantial, making it an excellent choice for pollinator gardens and wildlife-friendly landscapes. The large, open flowers provide easily accessible nectar and pollen for a diverse array of pollinators, including native bees, honeybees, butterflies, and beneficial insects that visit by the hundreds during peak bloom. The extended flowering season ensures a consistent food source throughout the critical summer and fall months when pollinators are most active. In autumn and winter, the seed-producing capabilities of Coreopsis become apparent as finches and other seed-eating birds eagerly harvest the nutritious seeds, adding avian interest to the garden during the quieter seasons. Notably, while 'Super Star' is beloved by beneficial wildlife, it demonstrates strong resistance to deer and rabbit browsing, making it a reliable choice for gardens where herbivore pressure is a concern. 

Pest and disease resistance is a notable strength of 'Super Star,' as this cultivar has proven resistant to most common garden afflictions. The plant's tolerance for drier conditions naturally discourages foliar diseases that thrive in humid environments, and its vigorous growth habit allows it to outpace most pest problems. Independent plant trials have rated 'Super Star' highly for performance and durability, confirming its reliability across various garden conditions and regions. Under ideal growing conditions, this perennial can be expected to provide approximately ten years of garden value, though individual plants may persist longer with proper care.

Coreopsis 'Super Star' represents the pinnacle of tickseed breeding, combining supersized floral drama with the resilience and easy-care nature that have made Coreopsis a garden staple for generations. Its spectacular bicolor blooms, extended flowering period, compact habit, and impressive stress tolerance make it an indispensable addition to sunny gardens across a wide climate range, delivering professional-level impact with distinctly amateur-friendly maintenance requirements.

Photo Credit: New Blooms Nursery and Ball Horticultural Co. 

General care for any tree or shrub is easy, but like any living thing will require your attention. Please educate yourself and follow these simple rules.

Coreopsis 'Super Star' - Tickseed

Tickseed makes a great cut flowers and the long lasting blooms will keep your garden looking great through much of the year. Native to North America, when it comes to disease resistance and ease of care coreopsis is hard to beat. Grow in full sun and soil that drains in the winter months.