Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Giant coreopsis is a woody perennial plant native to California and Baja California. Its stem is actually a tall, thick trunk, occasionally branching. Bright green leaves and flowers adorn the top of the trunk; the rest of the trunk is bare. The flowers are daisy-like and yellow,, attracting birds, butterflies, moths and other pollinators. Giant coreopsis is summer deciduous, leaving a bare trunk in summer. Its unusual form and generous flowering nature make this plant a welcome addition to gardens near the coast.

Giant Coreopsis is quite drought-adapted. Though not native to San Diego County, it is distributed on the South California central coast, north and central Southern California coast, the California Channel Islands, and further south on Guadalupe Island, Mexico. It's becoming more common due to its use in revegetation projects.

Plant type

Shrub

Size

3 - 8 ft Tall
2 - 4 ft Wide

Form

Rounded, Upright Columnar

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Summer Deciduous, Winter Deciduous

Fragrance

None

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Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Spring, Winter

Special uses

Bank stabilization, Hedge

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Extremely Low, Very Low

Summer irrigation

Never irrigate once established

Ease of care

Moderate

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 25° F

Soil drainage

Fast, Medium

Soil description

Prefers sand or sandstone.
Soil PH: 5.0 - 7.0

Maintenance

Dried leaves may be removed in summer if desired.

Propagation

May be propagated from cuttings taken in winter. For propagating by seed: No treatment.

Sunset Zones

14, 15*, 16*, 17*, 19, 20*, 21*, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

Coastal sage scrub or chaparral hillsides, dunes, and seabluffs. Prefers to be within a few miles of the coast

Plant communities

Coastal Beach & Dune, Coastal Scrub

Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

1 confirmed and 3 likely

Confirmed Likely

Orange Tortrix Moth

Argyrotaenia franciscana

Sunflower Moth

Homoeosoma electella

Wavy-Lined Emerald

Synchlora aerata

Xanthothrix ranunculi