Coreopsis 'Early Sunrise'

Coreopsis 'Early Sunrise': A Golden Dawn for the Summer Garden

Bright and buoyant, Coreopsis 'Early Sunrise' welcomes the season with fully double, golden-yellow blooms that gleam like the first light of day. This award-winning cultivar is cherished for its prolific flowering, sturdy habit, and reliable garden performance. Its long bloom season—stretching from early summer well into fall—makes it a mainstay in sun-drenched borders, where it offers a steady, cheerful presence. Whether planted en masse or tucked into mixed beds, 'Early Sunrise' brings warmth, pollinator activity, and lasting golden beauty to the summer garden.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 45–60 cm
• Spread: 30–45 cm, forming a rounded, upright clump
• Flower Colour: Bright golden yellow; fully double, frilled petals resembling mini sunbursts
• Flowering Period: Early summer to early fall
• Foliage: Deep green, lance-shaped leaves offering a clean, bushy base
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, average to sandy soils; tolerates heat and drought once established

Uses and Benefits: Coreopsis 'Early Sunrise' is a versatile and hardworking perennial that thrives in both formal and informal settings. Its dependable bloom and tidy habit make it ideal for edging, foundation plantings, containers, and cottage-style borders. The fully double flowers provide a fuller, more textured look than single-flowered types and attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects. It’s also a reliable cut flower, offering cheerful stems for fresh arrangements. In mass plantings, it creates a glowing sea of gold that energizes any sunny garden space.

Companion Plants: Pair Coreopsis 'Early Sunrise' with the upright elegance of Veronica 'Royal Candles', whose deep blue spires form a dramatic contrast against the golden blooms. Soften the planting with the silvery foliage and soft texture of Stachys 'Helene Von Stein', creating a calming base beneath the vibrant flowers. For added height and motion, integrate Panicum 'Heavy Metal', whose metallic blue-green blades lend structure and movement while echoing the plant’s sun-loving resilience.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun and well-drained soil. Water regularly during establishment, then only as needed—'Early Sunrise' is drought tolerant once mature. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering or shear lightly in midsummer to refresh the plant. Cut back in fall or early spring. Divide clumps every 3–4 years to promote vigor and maintain shape.

History: Introduced in the 1980s, Coreopsis 'Early Sunrise' quickly gained popularity for its long bloom time, rich colour, and exceptional reliability. A hybrid of Coreopsis grandiflora, native to North America, it was awarded the All-America Selections (AAS) winner designation in 1989 for its outstanding garden performance. It continues to be a favourite among gardeners and landscape designers alike for its easy care and long-lasting display.

Final Thoughts: With its frilly, sunlit blooms and steadfast nature, Coreopsis 'Early Sunrise' brings early joy and lasting colour to the heart of summer. When paired with the rich hues of Veronica 'Royal Candles', the soft texture of Stachys 'Helene Von Stein', and the airy presence of Panicum 'Heavy Metal', it becomes the centerpiece of a vibrant, pollinator-friendly planting. A golden classic that continues to brighten gardens with its enduring charm.