Botanical Name: Coreopsis verticillata ‘Nana’

Common Name: Tickseed

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 4–9)

Size: 10–14" Tall × 12–18" Wide

Growth Habit: Compact, Dense, Mounded Habit 

Sunlight: Full Sun (Best Flowering); Tolerates Light Shade

Soil: Prefers Well-Drained Soil; Adapts Well to Poor, Sandy, or Rocky Soils

Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Summer, with Repeat Blooming into Early Fall

Fertilizer: Minimal; Excess Nitrogen Reduces Bloom Quality

Features: Bright Yellow Daisy-Like Flowers, Fine Threadleaf Foliage, Compact Size, Heat & Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Ideal for Front-of-Border Plantings, Edging, Small Gardens, Rock Gardens, Mass Plantings, and Containers

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

See our complete Coreopsis Plant Guide for more in depth care details.

More About Coreopsis ‘Nana’

Coreopsis ‘Nana’ is the kind of perennial I reach for when I need structure without bulk. It stays naturally compact, forming a dense, tidy mound that feels intentional rather than wild. The bright yellow, daisy shaped blooms rise just above the fine threadleaf foliage, giving it a clean silhouette that works beautifully in smaller spaces. It delivers that classic tickseed cheerfulness, but in a more controlled and refined package.

Blooming begins in late Spring and carries confidently through Summer, with repeat flowering into early Fall if lightly deadheaded. Unlike taller varieties that can lean or sprawl by midseason, ‘Nana’ holds its shape remarkably well. It does not wander into neighboring plants or require staking to stay upright. Even when it takes a short rest between bloom cycles, the foliage remains neat and structured, adding texture and definition to beds and borders.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials here in Upstate SC, ‘Nana’ has been especially dependable in full sun and high heat. We planted it along a walkway where it received reflected warmth from the pavement, and it handled the exposure without thinning or flopping. Once established, it tolerates dry stretches with very little complaint. A simple deadheading or light midsummer trim is usually enough to refresh it and encourage another strong wave of flowers.

What I appreciate most is how useful it is in design. In tight planting pockets or along the front of a border, larger coreopsis can overwhelm the space, but ‘Nana’ stays contained and well behaved. It defines edges beautifully and pairs easily with Grasses, Salvias, and compact perennials without getting lost. Pollinators visit regularly, deer tend to pass it by, and its restrained size makes it a reliable choice when proportion matters just as much as color.

Nana vs. Other Coreopsis Varieties

Nana excels as a front-of-bed specialist when set against Early Sunrise, staying lower, tighter, and far more edging-friendly. Early Sunrise carries more mid-border presence and reads larger across the garden, anchoring beds with broader color, while Nana sharpens the outline and fills small spaces where taller coreopsis would feel oversized. Alongside Double the Sun, the difference is one of restraint—Double the Sun focuses on showy double blooms and visual weight, while Nana keeps a minimal, tidy profile with clean color that remains well contained.

When viewed next to Moonbeam Coreopsis, Nana feels more structured and deliberate. Moonbeam floats and blends with a soft, airy habit, but Nana forms a neat mound that creates a clear, defined line of color at the front of plantings. Compared once to Permathread™ Red Satin, Nana reads as the more traditional and straightforward option, while Red Satin brings high-contrast, modern flair; Nana shines when space is limited and dependable coreopsis color is needed without added height. Gardeners looking for a compact, front-border coreopsis that stays neat and space-efficient should choose Nana.