Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris)

Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris)

Tall coreopsis is a native perennial in Wisconsin, blooming from midsummer to early fall with a spectacular show of bright yellow, daisy-like flowers. Each flower is 1–2 inches wide, bearing 6 to 10 petal-like ray florets around a brown center, and emits a subtle anise scent. Held high on upright, well-branched stems, plants typically reach 2 to 4 feet tall but can soar to 8 feet in deep soils and ideal conditions—making them a striking backdrop for shorter prairie species.

The smooth-edged, deeply divided green leaves grow alternately along the stem and resemble the feather-like venation of plants in the bean family (Fabaceae). Tall coreopsis spreads by both seed and rhizome, forming colonies that support pollinators like bees, butterflies, and skippers. After blooming, its seedheads persist into winter, adding texture and feeding birds.

Adaptable and resilient, it thrives in sunny fields, meadows, moist to mesic prairies, and open savannas or woodlands. Its ecological value and visual presence make it a cornerstone species for restoration and native plant gardens. (SF)