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Native Plant Society of Texas

Collin County Chapter

Lanceleaf Coreopsis – Perennial with Sunny Yellow Flowers

Spring 2022 – NICE Plant of the Season

Written by Dr. Becca Dickstein

Description:

Photos courtesy of Andrea Marshall

Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolate, takes both its common and Latin names from its lance-like leaves. Its opposite 3-4 inch leaves are deeply cut, appearing almost like separate leaflets. It grows to about 1 ft tall, with the flowers reaching to 2.5 ft tall in full bloom. Lanceleaf Coreopsis has branching stems that can form substantial colonies, a beautiful sight in spring. In nature, this native plant is broadly distributed in prairies, meadows and woodlands throughout the US.

Flowers and Seeds:

Lanceleaf Coreopsis blooms in April through June each year with cheery, fragrant, yellow, 1-1.5 inch daisy-like flowers. These are followed by small nutlets containing seeds that easily self-sow.

Planting sites:

Lanceleaf Coreopsis thrives in full sun to part shade. It is tolerant of most soil types as long as they are well-drained.

Watering Instructions:

Lanceleaf coreopsis, Coreopsis lanceolata COLA5

Water Lanceleaf Coreopsis when planting it or its seed. Once established, it is drought tolerant.

Comments:

Lanceleaf Coreopsis is a short-lived perennial that is easy to grow as long as it is not overwatered. It can be propagated by cuttings or by seed. Its cheerful golden flowers have a long bloom-time and serve as a nectar source for butterflies and bees. Deadheading the spent blooms will prolong the flowering period. Lanceleaf Coreopsis has a place in cutting gardens, cottage gardens and borders.

Consider planting Lanceleaf Coreopsis instead of non-native Petunia, Begonia, or Snapdragons. Companion species include Zexmenia (Wedelia texana), Mealy Blue Sage (Salvia farinacea), milkweeds like Antelope Horn (Asclepias asperula), Gayfeather (Liatris mucronata), Bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis) and Sundrops (Calylophus berlandieri). Lanceleaf Coreopsis survived the February 2021 winter freeze and it is deer resistant.

Many thanks to the Trinity Forks Chapter of the NPSOT for the NICE Plant of the Season descriptions. Look for the NICE Plant of the Season signs and information sheets on your next visit to a participating North Texas nursery. Thank you for using native plants in your landscapes. NICE = Natives Improve & Conserve Environments

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason