Lanceleaf coreopsis is a wildflower in the Asteraceae (daisy) family that typically grows to 2' tall and occurs in prairies, glades, fields, and roadsides. It is believed native to the south-central US. It is well-established in North Carolina but is probably not native (i.e., it is naturalized). The genus name comes from the Greek words koris meaning "bug" and opsis meaning "like" in reference to the shape of the seed which resembles a bug or tick. The specific epithet means lance-shaped referring to the leaves. It prefers full sun with moist, well-drained soil but can sprawl if grown in too fertile soil. It thrives in sandy and rocky soils and can be an aggressive self-seeder. Deadheading of spent flowers will help control self-seeding and encourage additional blooms. Division may be needed every 2-3 years to maintain robustness. They can be cut back hard if they become too sprawling. Lanceleaf coreopsis is resistant to deer, drought, heat and humidity. Use this plant in naturalized areas, meadows, native/pollinator gardens or any area where they can spread. Many cultivars of this species are available, including hybrids with Coreopsis grandiflora. Quick ID Hints : Erect herb with opposite, narrow leaves Leaves occasionally with 1-2 linear lateral lobes Heads with 1 row of 8 ray flowers Rays are yellow and notched at apex Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Can get weedy if not maintained.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low; Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Clumping; Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Linear; Oblanceolate; Spatulate
Leaf margin
Entire; Lobed
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Opposite, simple, linear to lanceolate to oblanceolate-linear to narrow spatulate, occasionally with 1-2 small lateral lobes, attenuate to seemingly lacking a petiole. Margins are entire to lobed. They are 3-4 inches long and 1-3 inches across.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange
Flower value
Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
A head on elongated peduncles; heads 1.5-2.5" diam. with one row of ray flowers and numerous disc flowers. Rays yellow, often 8, obovate, conspicuously notch at apex; disc flowers yellow. Bloom from April to June.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Seeds are cypselae, commonly lacking pappus awns associated with tickseeds that adhere to fibers & skin. Displays from May to July.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Smooth round green stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern Canada to south Central U.S.A
Distribution
AL, AR, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WI, WV, WY Canada: BC, ON
Wildlife value
Attracts butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Seeds provide food for birds