Coreopsis, commonly known as tickseed, is a perennial or annual flowering plant prized for its bright, daisy-like blooms. From the plant's perspective, flowering is a reproductive strategy to produce seeds for future generations. Deadheading—removing spent flowers—interrupts this cycle, redirecting the plant's energy from seed production to new growth and additional blooms. This mimics natural processes where environmental factors (e.g., grazing or weather) might remove flowers, prompting the plant to try again.
For Coreopsis, deadheading is a survival tactic. When flowers fade and form seeds, the plant allocates nutrients to seed development, reducing resources for new blooms. By deadheading, you signal the plant to "try harder" to reproduce, triggering a secondary flowering response. This extends the blooming period and maintains the plant's vigor, as energy is diverted to root and foliage growth instead of seed maturation.
From the plant's perspective, precision matters. Follow these steps to minimize stress and maximize results:
Step 1: Identify spent blooms. Look for flowers that are wilted, browned, or drooping. These are no longer attracting pollinators and are draining energy.
Step 2: Use clean, sharp scissors or pruners to snip the stem just above a set of healthy leaves or a lateral bud. This encourages branching and new flower buds.
Step 3: Avoid cutting too far down the stem, as this may remove potential growth points. Coreopsis responds best to targeted trimming.
Coreopsis thrives with consistent care. Deadhead every 1–2 weeks during peak flowering (summer to early fall). The plant's hormonal response to removed flowers is swift, with new buds often forming within days. Regular deadheading prevents the plant from entering the seed-setting phase, keeping it in a perpetual "flowering mode."
For large Coreopsis plantings, shear back the entire plant by one-third after the first flush of blooms fades. This mimics natural grazing or pruning and stimulates a uniform rebloom. While drastic, the plant's resilience allows it to rebound quickly, producing fresh stems and flowers.
Without deadheading, Coreopsis shifts focus to seed production. Flowering slows or stops, and the plant may become leggy or sparse. Some varieties self-seed aggressively, which can be desirable for naturalizing but reduces the parent plant's longevity and bloom quality.
After deadheading, support the plant's recovery by watering deeply and applying a light, balanced fertilizer. This replenishes nutrients and reinforces the plant's ability to produce new blooms. Mulching helps retain soil moisture, reducing stress on the root system.
