Coreopsis 'Crazy Cayenne'

Coreopsis 'Crazy Cayenne': Spiced Sunset Tones for the Summer Border

Bold and vibrant with a fiery twist, Coreopsis 'Crazy Cayenne' lights up the garden with sizzling orange blooms kissed by red undertones. This sun-loving perennial brings warmth and energy to the landscape, with its semi-double flowers blooming continuously from early summer into fall. Its compact, mounded form and exceptional heat and drought tolerance make it an ideal choice for gardeners seeking bold colour with minimal upkeep. Like its name suggests, 'Crazy Cayenne' adds just the right amount of spice to borders, containers, and pollinator gardens.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 30–40 cm
• Spread: 35–45 cm, forming a rounded, bushy clump
• Flower Colour: Intense orange with red-orange highlights; semi-double petals for added fullness
• Flowering Period: Early summer to early fall
• Foliage: Deep green, lance-shaped leaves forming a tidy mound beneath the blooms
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Average to sandy, well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established

Uses and Benefits: Coreopsis 'Crazy Cayenne' delivers punchy, long-lasting colour in a low-maintenance package. Its compact size makes it perfect for smaller borders, containers, and rock gardens, while its vibrant blooms provide a magnetic draw for bees and butterflies. It pairs beautifully with cool-toned or silver-leaved companions, creating contrast and harmony in sunny beds. Excellent for massing or as a single highlight in mixed plantings, it brings bold colour and structure from midsummer through to the first frost.

Companion Plants: Pair Coreopsis 'Crazy Cayenne' with Lavandula 'Phenomenal'—the smoky blue flower spikes and silver foliage temper the hot hues and attract an equally enthusiastic crowd of pollinators. Add vertical contrast with Panicum 'Shenandoah', whose green blades flush burgundy as the season progresses, echoing the red in 'Crazy Cayenne'’s petals. Weave in Sedum 'Firecracker' at the base, its succulent red foliage creating a dramatic, low-growing layer that thrives in the same sunny, dry conditions.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. While 'Crazy Cayenne' is drought tolerant, occasional watering during extended dry periods will support prolonged blooming. Deadhead regularly to encourage reblooming, or shear lightly midseason to rejuvenate the plant. Cut back in late fall or early spring. Divide every 3–4 years to maintain vigor and density.

History: Part of the Sizzle & Spice™ series, 'Crazy Cayenne' was bred for intense colour, compact form, and reliable garden performance. As a modern cultivar of Coreopsis verticillata hybrids, it offers the durability and floriferous nature of its lineage, with an added jolt of colour not often found in the genus. Its name reflects both its electric hue and spirited garden presence.

Final Thoughts: For gardeners craving heat in the border, Coreopsis 'Crazy Cayenne' delivers in every way—colour, resilience, and pollinator value. Surrounded by the cool elegance of Lavandula 'Phenomenal', the burgundy-toned height of Panicum 'Shenandoah', and the bold foliage of Sedum 'Firecracker', it forms a vibrant and lasting summer display. A dazzling choice for brightening up dry, sunny spots with sizzling style.