plains coreopsis
Coreopsis tinctoria
plains coreopsis (Coreopsis tinctoria) is a Colorado-native perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 36 in tall and 18 to 24 in wide, needs low to medium water, and prefers full sun. Fire-wise zone 1-2 perennial; CSU 6.305 score 8.0 of 10.
Colorado nativeOn the CSFS firewise listlow to medium water36 in tall and 18 to 24 in wideXeric / water-wiseLow ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10
Photos
- Photo 1: No machine-readable author provided. C.Maylett assumed (based on copyright claims)., Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 2: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 3: (c) Devin Kellar, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 4: Abraham, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 9
- Water needs
- low to medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 36 in tall and 18 to 24 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~17 to 24 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid summer
- Bloom color
- yellow
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- Yes
- Native ecoregion
- shortgrass prairie, foothills
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10
Things to know before you plant
- Spreads aggressivelyAnnual that reseeds prolifically, desirable in meadows, manage in tidy beds
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is plains coreopsis good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, plains coreopsis is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- What should I know before planting plains coreopsis?
- The main things to know: Annual that reseeds prolifically, desirable in meadows, manage in tidy beds
- How big does plains coreopsis get?
- It matures to about 36 in tall and 18 to 24 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant plains coreopsis?
- Space plains coreopsis about 17 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 24 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is plains coreopsis hardy on the Front Range?
- plains coreopsis is hardy in USDA 3 to 9. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does plains coreopsis need?
- It needs low to medium water once established.
- Is plains coreopsis native to Colorado?
- Yes. It is a Colorado native.
- Is plains coreopsis a good firewise plant near the house?
- plains coreopsis is rated 8 of 10 in CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), where higher means less ignitable, so it can go within 0 to 5 feet of the house as well as out to 30 feet when kept watered and tidy. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does plains coreopsis bloom?
- plains coreopsis blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
