Coreopsis—or “Tickseed,” as many of us call it—is one of those wonderfully low-maintenance plants that every gardener loves to have in their flower beds. But even though they’re easy-going, a little annual pruning is the secret sauce for healthy growth and a massive explosion of blooms. Generally speaking, there are two perfect windows of time to grab your shears.
When to Prune Your Coreopsis
Deciding when to cut back your plants really depends on what you’re looking for in your garden. You’ve basically got two main options:
- In the fall, before the winter chill sets in.
- In the spring, once the worst of the frost has passed.
The Case for Fall Pruning
Giving your Coreopsis a haircut in the fall, right before winter dormancy, encourages the plant to focus on new shoots and buds. Come springtime, you’ll be rewarded with a much bushier plant and a literal sea of golden flowers.
One thing to keep in mind: if you prune in the fall, you’re likely cutting off the seeds before they’ve fully ripened. If you’re hoping for the plant to self-seed and spread on its own, a fall trim might get in the way of that.
The Case for Spring Pruning
On the flip side, many “nature-first” gardeners prefer waiting until spring. If you want your Coreopsis to self-sow, you’ll want to leave those seed heads alone until they’ve done their thing. Plus, leaving the withered foliage over the winter provides a great natural layer of frost protection and offers a cozy winter home for beneficial garden insects.
Deadheading During the Season
From July through September, your Coreopsis will be in its full blooming glory. Since the flowers don’t all open at once, you’ll definitely see some spent blooms while others are still popping. While these old flowers will eventually drop off on their own, deadheading them (pinching or cutting them off) keeps the plant looking tidy and can even encourage more flowers to bloom.
Pruning for Cuttings and Propagation
Under the right conditions, Coreopsis is great at spreading itself via seeds. However, if you want to be more intentional about it, you can grow new plants from cuttings. Just snip off a few green, non-woody shoots about four inches long. Pop them into a starter pot and keep them in a warm, bright spot. In a few weeks, you’ll see new roots and growth starting to take off!
Pruning for Pests or Disease
If you notice your Coreopsis looking a bit sickly or covered in pests, a “hard prune” is often your best first line of defense. Cut away any affected parts of the plant generously. Just a pro-tip: don’t put those clippings in your compost pile! Toss them in the trash or burn them so the disease or bugs don’t spread to the rest of your beautiful garden.
