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 prized for its compact size and tidy growth habit, making it one of the best coreopsis varieties for gardeners who want dependable color without excess height or spread. Its cheerful yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom generously above fine, threadleaf foliage, creating a clean, well-defined mound that stays neat throughout the growing season.

Blooming begins in late spring and continues through summer, often reblooming into early fall with minimal maintenance. Unlike taller or looser coreopsis types, ‘Nana’ maintains its shape naturally, rarely flopping or wandering into neighboring plants. Even when not in peak bloom, the foliage remains attractive and structured, giving beds and borders a polished look.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Nana’ has proven exceptionally reliable in hot, sunny conditions, holding its compact form even during periods of heat and drought. Once established, it requires very little care beyond occasional deadheading or a light midsummer trim to refresh flowering. It consistently outperforms larger varieties in tight spaces where control and definition matter most.

We especially appreciate how well ‘Nana’ functions as a design tool. It excels at edging walkways, defining borders, and filling small planting pockets where larger coreopsis feel overwhelming. Pollinators visit frequently, deer largely ignore it, and its restrained size makes it easy to pair with a wide range of perennials and ornamental grasses.

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.