Flower Library
Tickseed
Coreopsis · Korbblütler (Asteraceae)
Tickseed brings a piece of summer meadow into the vase with its bright yellow to red-brown daisy flowers. It is a wonderfully easygoing summer bloom with surprisingly long stem life. Bought as A1 quality at the Veiling Rhein-Maas auction, it often stays fresh in a bouquet well beyond the usual week.
- Season
- June – July – August – September – October
- Vase life
- 7–10 days
- Latin name
- Coreopsis
- Colors
- Sunny yellow, Golden yellow, Orange, Red-brown, Cream yellow, Bicolour
The genus comprises over 75 species, from annual summer flowers to hardy perennials. Most interesting for floristry are the annual dyer’s tickseed (Coreopsis tinctoria) with its yellow and red-brown blooms and long, cut-firm stems, as well as the large-flowered Coreopsis grandiflora. Many customers know the fine-leaved cultivars Moonbeam and Zagreb from the garden, which are rarely cut but show the plant’s character well.
In floristry we value tickseed as an airy filler and a cheerful splash of colour. The delicate, often multi-branched stems carry numerous small flower heads and lend summer bouquets a loose, natural lightness. It is excellent for meadow-style, informal arrangements as well as modern country bouquets in vintage style.
A good quality marker is the firmness of the stems and the freshness of the foliage: kinked or limp stems reveal goods that have been in transit too long. When buying we make sure the first blooms are just fully opened while further buds are still to follow. That way the bouquet keeps producing new flowers over several days and stays lively.
In colour, the warm yellow-orange of tickseed harmonises beautifully with other summer flowers such as coneflower, yarrow, cosmos and zinnias. For a calmer look, the pale cultivars combine with white and plenty of green into a tender, almost nostalgic picture. For strong accents, blue tones like delphinium or sage work well as a contrast.
Care
- 01Cut stems at an angle and place immediately in fresh, clean water; recut every two days if needed.
- 02Remove lower leaves so no foliage sits in the water and keeps it from turning cloudy.
- 03Keep the vase in a cool spot and avoid direct sun and proximity to heating.
- 04Change the water completely every two to three days and use cut-flower food.
- 05Pluck out spent heads so the following buds open strongly.
- 06Do not place near fruit bowls: the ethylene released ages the delicate blooms faster.
Frequently asked
- How long does tickseed last in the vase?
- With fresh A1 goods and clean, regularly changed water, tickseed usually lasts seven to ten days. As new buds keep opening, the bouquet looks fresh throughout. Recutting the stems regularly extends the enjoyment further.
- Is tickseed toxic to cats, dogs or children?
- No, tickseed is considered non-toxic. There are no known risks to pets or children on contact. As with all cut flowers, the vase water should still not be drunk, as flower food and germs can irritate the stomach.
- When is tickseed in season?
- Tickseed is a classic summer flower, available from June into October. During this time we receive the loveliest, strongest goods fresh from the Veiling Rhein-Maas. Outside the season it is hard to find, which makes it a true summer delight.
- What is tickseed suited for in a bouquet?
- With its many small flower heads, tickseed is a wonderful filler for airy, meadow-style bouquets. It adds cheerful colour to summer arrangements and harmonises with coneflower, cosmos and yarrow. In table decoration too it creates a natural, relaxed mood.