coreopsis

Imagine a glorious sunny day in the Dutch countryside, where endless rows of vibrant, cheerful blooms stretch as far as the eye can see, just waiting for you to pick them. We’re not talking about your average flower shop here; this is an adventure! And among these delightful blossoms, you’ll find the charming coreopsis, often known as tickseed – a little burst of sunshine just begging to brighten your day and your home.

The Pure Joy of Picking Your Own Coreopsis

There’s something incredibly therapeutic about strolling through a blossoming field, basket in hand, choosing each perfect stem with care. Whether you’re flying solo, enjoying a peaceful moment of zen amidst the buzzing bees and gentle breeze, or laughing with friends and family as you race to find the most vibrant specimen, picking coreopsis is pure joy. Kids absolutely adore it – their tiny hands carefully selecting the brightest yellow, orange, or reddish-brown petals, filling their buckets with their very own masterpieces. It’s an instant mood-lifter, a wonderful dose of nature’s beauty, and a lovely way to create lasting memories together. Forget your worries for a few hours and immerse yourself in the simple, rewarding pleasure of the pick-your-own experience!

Bringing the Sunshine Home: How to Use Your Coreopsis

Once your basket is brimming with your glorious, sun-kissed harvest, the fun doesn’t stop there. Bringing coreopsis home is like bringing a piece of that Dutch summer field indoors. These charming little flowers are surprisingly versatile, adding a touch of rustic elegance and cheerful whimsy wherever they go!

For the Love of Flowers: Decoration Delights!

As a flower, coreopsis shines brightest! Their daisy-like blooms are perfect for:

Sunny Bouquets: Arrange them in a simple vase on their own for a pop of pure cheer, or mix them with other wildflowers and greenery for a more elaborate, garden-style arrangement that truly sings of summer.
Tabletop Treats: Scatter a few individual blooms in small votives, mini-vases, or even floating elegantly in a shallow bowl for an effortless yet stunning centerpiece.
Gift Embellishments: Tuck a few vibrant sprigs into the ribbon of a wrapped gift for an extra special, handmade touch that shows you care.
Pressed Art: Coreopsis petals and smaller blooms press beautifully, preserving their vibrant colors for DIY cards, personalized bookmarks, or framed botanical art that captures the essence of your picking day.

A Culinary Whisper: Edible Petals!

Now, while coreopsis isn’t going to be the main ingredient in your next hearty stew, its petals are indeed edible! They have a very mild, slightly bitter, yet refreshing taste, making them wonderful as a colorful garnish. Just remember to use only the petals and ensure your picked flowers haven’t been treated with pesticides.

1. Coreopsis & Summer Berry Salad Garnish Give your summer salads a touch of floral magic and visual appeal!

Ingredients: Mixed greens, fresh summer berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries), a light vinaigrette, and a handful of fresh coreopsis petals.
Instructions: Assemble your favorite summer salad as usual. Just before serving, gently sprinkle the vibrant coreopsis petals over the top. The sunny yellows and oranges will contrast beautifully with the greens and reds of the berries, adding a delicate visual appeal and a whisper of garden freshness.

2. Coreopsis-Infused Sparkling Water Add a subtle flavor and stunning visual to your hydration!

Ingredients: 1 litre sparkling water, a handful of fresh coreopsis petals, a few slices of lemon or cucumber (optional).
Instructions: Gently place the coreopsis petals (and lemon/cucumber slices if using) into a pitcher of sparkling water. Let it infuse in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours for a stronger color and subtle flavor. Serve chilled. It’s a gorgeous and refreshing way to enjoy a sunny afternoon!

A Calming Brew: Coreopsis Sunshine Tea

If you fancy a calming, visually delightful brew, coreopsis petals can step in for a lovely floral tea, perfect for a moment of quiet reflection.

Coreopsis Petal Sunshine Tea

Ingredients: 1-2 teaspoons fresh coreopsis petals (ensure they are clean and pesticide-free), 1 cup hot water.
Instructions: Place the petals in a mug. Pour hot (not boiling) water over them. Let steep for 5-7 minutes. Strain the petals if desired, or leave them for visual appeal. The tea will have a very mild, subtly floral taste and a beautiful, sunny hue. You can add a drop of honey or a squeeze of lemon if you prefer a sweeter or tangier brew.

Golden Hour Sips: The Coreopsis Cocktail!

Ready to impress your guests with a garden-fresh cocktail that practically glows? Coreopsis is your secret weapon for both garnish and subtle infusion!

Coreopsis Golden Hour Spritzer

Ingredients:
- 50ml gin or vodka (or sparkling water for a delightful mocktail)
- 25ml elderflower liqueur (or elderflower cordial for a mocktail)
- 15ml fresh lemon juice
- Top with soda water or Prosecco
- Ice
- A few fresh coreopsis petals for garnish (and a couple for the shaker if you want a slight infusion)
Instructions:
1. In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin/vodka, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and a few coreopsis petals.
2. Fill the shaker with ice and shake well until thoroughly chilled.
3. Strain into a tall glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Top with soda water or Prosecco.
5. Garnish with a vibrant sprinkle of fresh coreopsis petals, letting them float beautifully on top. Cheers to the golden hour and your gorgeous pickings!

So, next time you’re in the Netherlands, keep an eye out for those charming coreopsis farms. There’s a whole world of picking pleasure and home-spun creativity waiting for you, from vibrant bouquets to delightful drinks and dishes. Happy picking!

Pluktuin de Melkweg

flowers, herbs

overijssel

Pluktuin de Melkweg, located in Oud-Bergentheim at Hardenbergerweg 19a, offers a self-service flower-picking experience. Visitors can select from over 40 varieties of flowers, including dahlia, cosmea, zinnia, strawflower, sweet pea, great masterwort, hyssop, dill, yarrow, scabious, sunflower, cornflower, amaranthus, delphinium, ornamental tobacco, coneflower, sea lavender, goldenrod, coreopsis, snapdragon, drumstick flower, marigold, beardtongue, Chinese aster, and African marigold. The garden is currently closed for the season and anticipates reopening in 2026. When open, it operates Monday through Saturday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, remaining closed on Sundays. Guests can find scissors in a green garden shed and are encouraged to create varied bouquets. Payment is self-service, available via Tikkie (QR code) or cash, with small bouquets priced at €7.50 and large bouquets at €12.50. Parking is available on the farmyard.

Bloemenboerderij Pluktuin Hof Zjevernie

flowers

zeeland

Hof Zjevernie is a flower farm located at Korte Heerenstraat 5 in Oostburg, operated by Marjan de Feijter. Situated on a former 1922 farm, it cultivates a diverse range of beautiful flowers on fertile clay soil, grown without artificial fertilizers or pesticides and harvested according to the seasons. The farm is primarily known for its self-picking garden. However, it is currently closed for self-picking until March 2026, when it is scheduled to reopen.

De Moestuin Utrecht

fruit, vegetables, flowers, herbs

utrecht

De Moestuin Maarschalkerweerd is a biological farm and garden located in Utrecht, dedicated to providing a green space for community engagement and social impact. It operates as a social enterprise, offering activation and learning-work programs to individuals who are seeking to re-enter the labor market. Visitors to the farm have the opportunity for self-picking during the harvest season, which runs from approximately April to December. Those with a self-picking subscription can typically harvest 4-5 different types of vegetables and fruits each week. The extensive vegetable garden cultivates over 50 varieties, including capuchin peas, lettuce, beans, palm cabbage, tomatoes, sweetcorn, Jerusalem artichokes, and pumpkins. For fruits, strawberries, red currants, blackberries, black currants, and raspberries are available for picking in season. The farm also features apple, pear, cherry, and quince trees, as well as grapes and figs grown in a greenhouse. Additionally, a dedicated flower field allows visitors to gather their own bouquets, with a colorful selection of blooms such as dahlias, sunflowers, cornflowers, safflower, marigolds, coreopsis, amaranth, wild carrot, summer asters, liquorice plant, snapdragons, verbena, flax, sweet pea, knotweed, love-in-a-mist, and cosmos typically flourishing from July to September. A diverse herb garden boasts 75 types of culinary, medicinal, and dye herbs.

Voedselbos & Pluktuin Heer ikigai

vegetables, flowers, herbs

noord-holland

Heer Ikigai is a foundation located at Noordervaart 30, 1841 HA Stompetoren, that operates a food forest and a self-picking garden. The initiative is rooted in the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai, aiming to foster a life in harmony with nature, share knowledge, connect people, and promote sustainability within the community, while also providing local, healthy food and an attractive natural landscape. Visitors can enjoy self-picking in the garden, which offers a variety of flowers and vegetables. During the summer, the self-picking garden features flowers such as Hoofdjesgillia, Gypsophila, Coriander, Fennel, Buckwheat, Greater Mallow, Sainfoin, Corn Marigold, Scentless Mayweed, Yellow Chamomile, Flax, Poppy, Sunflower, Cornflower, Phacelia, Common Vetch, Cosmos, Summer Wheat, Summer Oats, Corncockle, Alfalfa, Tickseed (Meisjesogen), Dragonhead, Lavatera, and Camelina Sativa. Fresh organic vegetables are also available for purchase at a small stall located by the roadside.

Flora Marita

flowers

overijssel

Floramarita is a self-picking garden located in Genne, near Hasselt, the Netherlands. The garden offers visitors the opportunity to pick their own summer flowers to create a custom bouquet, typically consisting of 20-25 stems. The farm is committed to sustainable practices, growing flowers without artificial fertilizers or pesticides, which benefits the soil and ensures locally sourced blooms. The experience at Floramarita extends beyond picking; guests can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere and a “Combideal” that includes picking flowers, having them skillfully arranged into a beautiful bouquet by the owner, Marita, and savoring homemade cake (often walnut-caramel, made with walnuts from the farm’s own trees) with coffee or tea.