Coreopsis Seed ( Annual )

Early Sunrise Coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora) is an award-winning perennial celebrated for its large, fully double golden-yellow blooms that resemble miniature chrysanthemums. Flowering from early summer until frost, this compact, free-blooming variety produces an abundance of cheerful blossoms above neat mounds of deep green foliage. Renowned for its long bloom season, exceptional garden performance, and outstanding pollinator value, Early Sunrise brings brilliant sunshine-like color to borders, cottage gardens, containers, and cutting gardens.

Garden Uses:

Early Sunrise is perfect for perennial borders, cottage gardens, pollinator gardens, cutting gardens, patio containers, foundation plantings, and mass landscape displays. Its rich golden flowers combine beautifully with purple coneflowers, salvias, lavender, Shasta daisies, blanket flowers, black-eyed Susans, ornamental grasses, and blue flowering perennials. The sturdy stems also produce excellent fresh-cut flowers with an extended vase life.

Growing Information:

Sow seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after danger of frost has passed. Lightly cover the seeds with fine soil and maintain temperatures between 65-70°F. Germination typically occurs within 10-20 days. Plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating average, sandy, or even somewhat poor soils once established. Early Sunrise is highly drought tolerant after establishment. Regular deadheading encourages continuous flowering from early summer well into autumn, while dividing mature clumps every 3-4 years helps maintain vigorous growth.

Pollinator Value:

The bright golden flowers attract honeybees, native bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and numerous beneficial insects throughout their exceptionally long blooming season. The abundant pollen and nectar make Early Sunrise one of the finest perennial flowers for supporting pollinators from early summer until frost.

Natural Garden Benefits:

Early Sunrise provides season-long nectar while requiring very little maintenance or supplemental watering once established. Its compact habit suppresses weeds, helps conserve soil moisture, and provides dependable color during the hottest months of summer. The flowers also attract beneficial predatory insects that contribute to natural garden balance.

Historical Significance:

Coreopsis grandiflora is native to the southeastern United States, where it naturally grows in open meadows and sunny prairies. Early Sunrise was developed through careful breeding to produce unusually large, fully double flowers and a remarkably long blooming season. It received the prestigious All-America Selections (AAS) award for its outstanding garden performance and remains one of the most popular Coreopsis varieties grown today.

Interesting Facts:

The genus name Coreopsis comes from Greek words meaning "bug-like," referring to the shape of the seeds. Despite this unusual origin, the flowers themselves are among the brightest and happiest in the perennial garden. The fully double blooms of Early Sunrise remain attractive far longer than many traditional Coreopsis varieties, making them excellent for both garden displays and floral arrangements.

Seedman Notes:

Early Sunrise is one of our favorite long-blooming perennials because it delivers nonstop color with almost no effort. The brilliant double golden flowers brighten every sunny garden while attracting countless butterflies and bees. Whether planted in borders, containers, or pollinator gardens, this dependable variety rewards gardeners with months of cheerful blooms year after year.

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