Uptick Red Coreopsis
Uptick Red Coreopsis
Big Velvety Red Daisies on a Compact Plant
Uptick Red Coreopsis (Coreopsis 'Uptick Red') delivers large, broad-petaled, velvety red daisies on a tidy, well-branched plant that blooms heavily in its first year. Flowering from early summer into fall, it's drought-tough, deer-resistant, and a magnet for bees and butterflies. A bold, saturated choice for sunny borders and containers in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Uptick Red Coreopsis Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Coreopsis 'Uptick Red' |
| Mature Size | 12–16 in. tall, 14–18 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun (6+ hours) |
| Bloom Time | Early summer into fall |
| Flower Color | Velvety red |
| Soil | Well-drained; tolerates clay and lean soil if not soggy |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to about -25°F once established |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer or rabbits |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Compact, colorful borders: Its big red blooms pack a punch at the front of the border and in containers. Space 14–16 inches apart.
Pollinator and low-water beds: Bees and butterflies love it; tough in hot, dry spots. Pair with yellow yarrow, catmint, and grasses.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall. Provide good drainage; avoid soggy winter soil.
How to Plant Uptick Red Coreopsis
Dig a hole twice the pot's width at the same depth, loosening clay and mixing in compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water in, and mulch lightly. Space 14–16 inches apart.
Watering Uptick Red Coreopsis
First year: Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Drought-tolerant — water only during extended dry spells.
Q: Does it bloom the first year?
Yes — the Uptick series flowers heavily in its first season on a tidy, well-branched plant.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to zone 4 with good drainage; avoid wet winter soil.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer and rabbits rarely bother coreopsis.
Q: How do I keep it blooming?
Deadhead or shear lightly to keep fresh flowers coming into fall.
You May Also Like
Uptick Yellow and Red Coreopsis (Coreopsis): A bright bicolor from the same compact series.
Yarrow (Achillea): Gold blooms to contrast the red daisies.
Coneflower (Echinacea): A native pollinator partner with matching toughness.
How Many Uptick Red Coreopsis Do I Need?
Space plants about 16 inches apart for a solid front-of-border drift; plant in groups of 3–5 for the boldest color block.
| Front-Border Run | Plants Needed |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 4 |
| 10 ft | 8 |
| 15 ft | 11 |
| 20 ft | 15 |
Uptick Red Coreopsis Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: A tidy, well-branched mound of fine foliage fills in.
- Summer: Large, broad-petaled velvety red daisies open from early summer, drawing bees and butterflies; it flowers heavily even its first year.
- Fall: A light shear or deadheading keeps fresh flowers coming right up to frost.
- Winter: Dies back to a hardy crown; good drainage carries it through Minnesota winters.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Uptick Yellow and Red Coreopsis — a bright bicolor from the same compact series.
- Uptick Gold and Bronze Coreopsis — a warm gold-and-bronze sibling.
- Moonshine Yarrow — flat gold blooms that contrast the red daisies.
- Magnus Coneflower — a native pollinator partner with matching toughness.
Is Uptick Red Coreopsis Right for Your Yard?
This compact coreopsis is built for full sun and well-drained soil, shining at the front of a sunny border or in containers and shrugging off heat, drought, and deer. It is not a fit for soggy winter soil, which causes crown rot, or for heavy shade, where bloom falls off.