Botanical Name: Coreopsis grandiflora ‘Early Sunrise’

Common Name: Tickseed

Hardiness Zone: Perennial in Most Climates (USDA Zones 4–9)

Size: 18–24" Tall × 18–24" Wide

Growth Habit: Upright, Clump-Forming Habit

Sunlight: Full Sun (Best Flowering); Tolerates Light Shade

Soil: Prefers Well-Drained Soil; Adapts to Average or Poor Soils

Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Summer (Very Long Bloom Period)

Fertilizer: Minimal; Avoid Heavy Feeding

Features: Semi-Double Golden-Yellow Flowers, Extremely Long Bloom Season, Heat & Drought Tolerant, Deer Resistant, Pollinator Friendly

Uses: Ideal for Perennial Beds, Borders, Pollinator Gardens, Containers, and Cut Flowers

Patent: ❌ Not Patented

Propagation: ✔ Propagation Allowed

See our complete Coreopsis Plant Guide for more in depth care details.

More About Coreopsis ‘Early Sunrise’

Coreopsis ‘Early Sunrise’ has earned its reputation the old fashioned way. It simply performs. This is one of those perennials that has been around long enough to prove itself, and it still holds its ground against newer introductions. The blooms are a rich golden yellow with a semi double form that gives them a softer, fuller look than the traditional single tickseed. You still get that classic daisy shape, but with a little more substance and presence in the garden. It is bright without being harsh, cheerful without feeling loud.

What I really appreciate is how early it gets started. ‘Early Sunrise’ often begins blooming in late Spring, sometimes ahead of other Coreopsis in the bed, and then it just keeps going through Summer. The flowers rise above tidy mounds of medium green foliage that never looks messy or overgrown. It brings a light, airy feel to borders, but it also works beautifully in more structured plantings. Give it full sun and well drained soil, and it will handle heat and dry stretches with a calm, steady reliability that Southern gardens demand.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

‘Early Sunrise’ has been one of the first perennials to establish and one of the last to quit blooming. We've planted it in a high visibility bed where it had to compete with stronger growers, and it never disappeared into the background. It filled in quickly, bloomed heavily its first year, and kept pushing new buds even when rainfall was inconsistent. While some perennials need constant feeding or maintenance, this one stayed upright and kept flowering with very little intervention.

It tolerates a wide range of soils, from sandy beds that drain quickly to heavier garden soil that has been improved over time, as long as water is not allowed to sit around the roots. It truly does not demand heavy fertilizing. In fact, too much fertilizer can push soft growth at the expense of blooms. When you shear it lightly after a heavy flush, it responds with renewed vigor and a clean, compact shape rather than looking tired or rangy. Pollinators visit it steadily throughout the season.At the same time, deer tend to pass it by, which makes it especially valuable in areas where browsing pressure is an ongoing issue. For gardeners who want reliable, long lasting color without constant maintenance, staking, or babying, ‘Early Sunrise’ continues to prove itself year after year as a hardworking, dependable perennial.

Early Sunrise vs. Other Coreopsis Varieties

Early Sunrise represents classic Coreopsis at its best, especially when placed against Double the Sun. Where Double the Sun leans flashier and fuller with ruffled doubles, Early Sunrise keeps things clean and natural, making it easier to integrate alongside other perennials. In contrast to Moonbeam Coreopsis, Early Sunrise carries more visual weight while Moonbeam feels delicate and misty. Early Sunrise is bolder, more assertive in color, and easier to read from a distance.

When set beside Coreopsis Nana, Early Sunrise shifts into a clear mid-border role, providing more presence and coverage, while Nana remains low and compact for edging and tight planting spaces. Nana excels at defining the front of a bed, but Early Sunrise works better when you need a solid body of color without added height. Compared to Permathread™ Red Satin, Early Sunrise functions as the bright, traditional yellow anchor, while Red Satin acts as the designer accent, trading timeless familiarity for deeper, more dramatic tones.