Coreopsis 'Red Hot Vanilla'

Coreopsis 'Red Hot Vanilla': A Bold Blend of Fire and Cream

Striking and unexpected, Coreopsis 'Red Hot Vanilla' offers a vibrant twist on traditional summer colour with its dazzling bicolour blooms—rich cherry red petals splashed with creamy vanilla tips. This compact, free-flowering perennial brings an energizing mix of warmth and contrast to sunny beds, borders, and containers. Blooming steadily from early summer into fall, it’s a magnet for pollinators and a conversation piece in any planting. With its tidy form and fiery flair, 'Red Hot Vanilla' is summer colour with a cool, creamy finish.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 25–35 cm
• Spread: 30–40 cm, forming a compact, rounded clump
• Flower Colour: Bright cherry red with creamy vanilla tips; daisy-like and vibrant
• Flowering Period: Early summer to early fall
• Foliage: Clean green, narrow leaves forming a neat, bushy base
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, average to sandy soil; drought tolerant once established

Uses and Benefits: Coreopsis 'Red Hot Vanilla' is perfect for gardeners looking to add bold colour in a small footprint. Ideal for containers, low borders, or mass plantings, it offers season-long performance with minimal maintenance. Bees and butterflies are drawn to its vibrant blooms, making it a valuable addition to pollinator-friendly landscapes. With its unusual colouring and compact size, it's equally at home in modern garden designs or cheerful cottage-style plantings.

Companion Plants: Plant Coreopsis 'Red Hot Vanilla' alongside Panicum 'Shenandoah', whose upright blades take on deep burgundy hues that echo the red tones of the blooms and lend graceful height and texture. Add Salvia 'Bumblesky' for a cool contrast—its powder-blue flower spikes draw pollinators and soften the intensity of the red and cream palette. For a low-growing layer, incorporate Sedum 'Fulda Glow', whose bronze-tinted foliage and late-season flowers enhance the warm colour scheme while thriving in similar sun-soaked, well-drained conditions.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly during the first growing season; once established, 'Red Hot Vanilla' is drought tolerant and thrives in dry, sunny sites. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming, or shear lightly in midsummer to promote a fresh flush. Cut back in fall or early spring. Divide clumps every 3–4 years to keep plants vigorous.

History: A standout in the Li’l Bang™ series, Coreopsis 'Red Hot Vanilla' was bred for compact habit, long bloom season, and uniquely bold colouring. As a hybrid selection with Coreopsis grandiflora and C. verticillata in its lineage, it combines the best of both worlds—showy blooms and garden durability. Its name captures its spicy-sweet palette and lively garden personality.

Final Thoughts: With its sizzling red petals tipped in creamy white, Coreopsis 'Red Hot Vanilla' is a vivid spark in the summer garden. When planted with the burgundy-backed elegance of Panicum 'Shenandoah', the pollinator-friendly calm of Salvia 'Bumblesky', and the warm-toned foliage of Sedum 'Fulda Glow', it forms a spirited, sun-loving display full of contrast and charm. A fiery little gem for borders, containers, and pollinator havens alike.