With its distinctively large yellow flowers and long-blooming habit, this tickseed offers much to recommend it. Easy to grow, especially in full sun and poor, sandy, or rocky soils, Stiff Tickseed is drought tolerant and generally ignored by deer. It spreads by rhizomes and is also self-seeding, so it will expand on its own given the chance. Dead-heading prolongs bloom-time and keeps self-seeding in check if spreading is not desired. The large flowers produce nectar for pollinators, and the abundant seeds provide forage for birds. Add to that the showy red leaves and stems in autumn and Stiff Tickseed is a winner for the native gardener.
Conditions: Full sun; dry to medium, well-drained soil
Size: 1.5’-2.5’ tall, 1’-1.5’ spread
Zone: 3 - 8
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinators
Photo: Frank Mayfield