White Flower Farm
Coreopsis 'Leading Lady Sophia'
Best low-maintenance perennial for gardeners seeking continuous, season-long yellow blooms.
Coreopsis 'Leading Lady Sophia', also known as Threadleaf Tickseed, is a vigorous perennial celebrated for its exceptionally long bloom time, as the flowers do not set seed. This variety produces masses of tubular yellow, daisy-like blossoms continuously from June through October. It is noted for tolerating heat and resisting mildew, often requiring no deadheading to maintain its display. Native to the southeastern US and Mexico, this plant thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, making it an excellent, cheerful addition to borders or wildflower gardens. It ships as a plant in a 1-pint container.
$15.95
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
29
/ 2989
#29 in Landscaping & Garden Plants
Price vs Category Average
-42%
Below average
SKU
26857
/ S
Who it's for
- Small-space gardeners needing tidy, compact container plants
- Busy homeowners seeking low-maintenance, heat-tolerant perennials
- Landscape designers wanting long-lasting, vibrant seasonal color
Who should skip it
- Hands-off gardeners who dislike regular grooming tasks
- Gardeners working with heavy, poorly draining clay soils
- People living in humid climates with limited airflow
Performance breakdown
Bloom Duration
Sterile flowers ensure a continuous, season-long display without needing deadheading.
Heat Tolerance
Thrives in sweltering summer conditions where other perennials often wilt.
Disease Resistance
Strong natural defense against mildew keeps foliage looking crisp and healthy.
Maintenance Effort
Requires minimal intervention to maintain a tidy, vibrant garden aesthetic.
Drought Hardiness
Establishes quickly and manages dry spells with impressive, reliable resilience.
Versatility
Compact size makes it a perfect fit for borders or containers.
Key Specs
SKU
S26857
Common Name
Threadleaf Tickseed
Hardiness Zone
5-9S/W
Exposure
Sun
Blooms In
June-September
Mature Height
12-16 inches
Spacing
12 inches
Ships as
1 PINT (28.86 CU IN.)
Features
- Unusually long bloom time due to sterile flowers
- Non-stop daisy-like yellow blooms from June through October
- Tolerates heat
- Resists mildew
- Requires no deadheading for continuous flowering
- Drought-tolerant once established
- Easy culture and not fussy about soil type
- Excellent for cutting and borders
What customers say
Customers consistently celebrate the exceptional reliability of 'Leading Lady Sophia', noting its vigorous growth and impressive, season long bloom cycle. Reviewers frequently highlight the superior quality of the plant stock received from White Flower Farm, emphasizing healthy roots and immediate establishment in the garden. This coreopsis variety is seen as a dependable, high performing investment that delivers vibrant color without fuss, making it a garden favorite for its consistent performance year after year.
Know before you buy
Yes. Because this variety is sterile and does not set seed, it directs all its energy into continuous flowering from June through October rather than reproduction.
No, deadheading is not required. The plant is self-cleaning, meaning it will continue to produce fresh blooms throughout the season without manual intervention.
This plant requires a full sun location to perform its best. It is heat-tolerant and thrives in bright, direct light, which helps prevent mildew and encourages a dense, bushy habit.
While it is excellent for borders and wildflower gardens, its compact 12-16 inch height makes it a great candidate for containers as well. Just ensure your pot has excellent drainage, as the plant prefers well-drained soil.
Once the root system is fully established in your garden, 'Leading Lady Sophia' is quite drought-tolerant. However, you should provide regular water during the first season to help it settle in.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$16