Large-flowered tickseed (Coreopsis grandiflora 'Early Sunrise')
Coreopsis grandiflora 'Early Sunrise' offers brilliant yellow, showy blooms from May to August. A tough, low-maintenance perennial perfect for dry, sunny borders.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’, commonly known as Large-flowered tickseed, brings reliable, cheerful color to even the toughest garden spots. This compact cultivar boasts semi-double, daisy-like yellow flowers that appear profusely throughout summer, making it a stellar addition for continuous landscape interest. It is prized by gardeners for its robust nature, thriving where other perennials struggle, particularly in heat and drought.
As a tough herbaceous perennial, Large-flowered tickseed requires minimal fuss once established. It naturally prefers full sun and is highly adaptable to poor, dry, or rocky soils. The consistent blooming of Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’ provides excellent textural contrast in sunny perennial beds.
For gardeners seeking tough, low-maintenance impact, this Tickseed cultivar delivers. Its tolerance for adverse conditions and its long bloom period ensure that this selection remains a gardening favorite, often self-seeding to perpetuate itself in the landscape.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Asteraceae
- Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 1.5-2 ft
- Spread: 1.5-2 ft
- Bloom Time: May to August
- Bloom Description: Yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Dry to medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
Planting Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’ is best done in spring or early fall once frost danger has passed. Locate your Large-flowered tickseed in a spot receiving full sun exposure to ensure maximum flower production. These plants exhibit remarkable flexibility regarding soil quality, thriving best in dry to medium moisture conditions but tolerating poor, sandy, or rocky substrates, provided drainage is excellent.
Watering should be infrequent once the plants are established, reflecting their drought tolerance. Avoid consistently moist or waterlogged conditions, as this invites crown rot. Fertilization is rarely necessary; over-fertilizing can lead to floppy, weak growth rather than sturdy stems.
Deadheading spent flower stalks of Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’ is crucial. This practice significantly extends the bloom season from late spring well into later summer or fall. Although the plant is short-lived, its tendency to self-seed helps maintain plantings. If the foliage becomes unsightly or sprawls during the summer heat, plants can be cut back severely to rejuvenate their appearance.
For defined borders, division every 2-3 years can help refresh older clumps and maintain plant vigor. Remember that even though this is a perennial, it performs admirably when grown as an annual in colder regions or where soil drainage is suspect.
Landscape Uses
Large-flowered tickseed excels in areas designed to mimic natural, slightly harsher environments. Its suitability for naturalized areas and meadows makes it a foundational plant for low-input landscapes where it can mingle freely. The bright yellow display of Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’ is perfect for cottage gardens, providing a splash of warmth against blues and purples.
When used in formal borders, this plant works well toward the middle or back, depending on where its 1.5 to 2-foot height is needed structurally. Its tolerance for dry soil makes it an ideal partner for other sun-loving, drought-tolerant species such as coneflowers (Echinacea), Russian Sage (Perovskia), or ornamental grasses.
Consider planting Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’ en masse for a striking visual impact. Its low water needs also make it effective in xeriscaping projects or along dry banks where robust, cheerful performance is essential.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Good Cut
Noteworthy Characteristics
Coreopsis grandiflora, commonly called large-flowered tickseed, is native to prairies, glades, open woods, thickets, roadsides and open ground in the southeastern U.S. Its daisy-like flowers feature deep yellow rays surrounding a darker golden yellow center disk, appearing atop slender, erect stems. The compact cultivar ‘Early Sunrise’ presents solitary, yellow, semi-double flowers with lighter rays and darker centers, typically reaching 18 inches tall, and it earned an All-America Selections award in 1989.
Tolerances
- Rabbit
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Shallow-Rocky Soil
Potential Problems
The foliage of Large-flowered tickseed can occasionally be susceptible to common fungal issues such as powdery mildew, leaf spot, and rust, particularly in humid conditions or where air circulation is poor. Growing Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’ in full sun and ensuring adequate spacing helps mitigate these risks.
The most significant cultural danger results from incorrect watering; crown rot is a common outcome if the plant is situated in moist, poorly drained soils. Given its preference for dry conditions, ensure any heavy clay soil is amended significantly with grit or compost to lighten the texture prior to planting. The compact nature of this specific cultivar usually helps reduce the risk of sprawling compared to its taller relatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Large-flowered tickseed suitable for?
Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’ is reliably hardy across USDA Zones 4 through 9.
How large does Large-flowered tickseed grow?
This cultivar typically reaches a compact height between 1.5 and 2 feet tall, with an equivalent spread of 1.5 to 2 feet.
What sun exposure does Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’ need?
This plant requires full sun exposure to thrive and produce its abundant yellow blooms most effectively.
When does Large-flowered tickseed bloom?
Large-flowered tickseed generally offers continuous bloom from May straight through August, sometimes extending into the fall if deadheaded.
Conclusion
Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’ is an outstanding choice for gardeners needing low-maintenance color that withstands heat and dry spells. The vibrant yellow flowers of this Large-flowered tickseed cultivar provide lasting garden structure and charm. Before planting, always confirm that your site provides the necessary full sun and excellent drainage required for this tough perennial.
Companion Planting
Selecting suitable companions helps maximize the visual appeal and health of your Large-flowered tickseed patch. Because Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’ requires excellent drainage and drier conditions, pair it with other Mediterranean or prairie natives that share similar cultural needs. Consider planting alongside ornamental lavenders, Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’, or drought-tolerant Russian Sage.
These partners not only harmonize aesthetically with the bright yellow blooms but also tolerate the same lower fertility, lower water regime this Tickseed prefers. Avoid planting tender moisture-loving perennials nearby, as their watering needs will cause stress to the Coreopsis.
Propagation Tips
While Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’ comes true reliably when grown from seed, division is an effective way to manage established clumps. Plants are somewhat short-lived, so division every few years helps rejuvenate the stand. In the spring, carefully lift mature clumps of Large-flowered tickseed and divide them into smaller sections, ensuring each division has healthy roots and growing points.
Division is best performed early in the growing season before major heat sets in. If you choose to allow the plant to self-seed, be aware that this can sometimes lead to a more informal, meadow-like look. Remember that prompt deadheading prevents unwanted reproduction while maximizing bloom time on the parent plant.
