Coreopsis alpinus Early Sunrise

The Coreopsis alpinus 'Early Sunrise', also marketed as Coreopsis grandiflora 'Early Sunrise', is a small, compact perennial with a bushy habit, robust and very floriferous. It offers an abundance of double, dense and regular golden yellow flower heads throughout the summer, attracting numerous butterflies. Its lifespan is relatively short, but it reliably self-seeds in the garden. This undemanding plant is ideal for rockeries or summer borders. It will thrive in well-drained soil, even poor and dry, in full sun.

Coreopsis grandiflora is a short-lived herbaceous perennial plant, often grown as an annual, belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is native to North America, from California, and present from New Mexico (all states, eastward) to the Great Lakes.

'Early Sunrise' is a cultivar with double flower heads with a more bushy and compact habit than other species. This rhizomatous perennial plant forms a rounded base of 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16in) in height, with a diameter of 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in). This plant flowers from June to August and produces double flower heads about 5 cm (2 inches) in diameter. The stems of the flowers are slightly hairy, and the outer petals are arranged perfectly with notches at the tips. This creates a tousled look around a small, darker centre. The foliage is a beautiful, intense green with a slender, tapered shape. The leaves are lanceolate, opposite, and about 10 cm (4 inches) long. They are sometimes incised at the base and almost sessile (without petiole). This perennial plant spreads quickly through rhizomes.

Coreopsis plants are perennials that need a lot of sunlight to bloom well. They grow best in light, porous soil that drains well. Heavy soils and winter moisture can harm these plants. Coreopsis Early Sunrise is a popular variety that requires little maintenance and can be planted in various places, such as rockeries, slopes, herbaceous borders, or large pots. For a beautiful summer display, Early Sunrise can be paired with Calamintha glandulosa and Nepeta 'Dawn to Dusk' in the ground or a large pot with very little water. This ground cover will effectively and elegantly border a pathway while reducing the proliferation of adventive plants and, therefore, reducing maintenance.