FlowerCoreopsis
Sunfire Coreopsis
Tickseed
Sunfire Coreopsis is a perennial that brings a burst of cheerful energy to gardens from zones 4 to 9. This Fleuroselect Novelty Winner produces abundant 2-inch semi-double blooms in bright golden yellow, arranged in neat upright shrubs that reach 18 to 24 inches tall. Unlike many coreopsis varieties, Sunfire blooms uniformly and early in its second year, making it surprisingly dependable for a flower that thrives on neglect once established. Its drought tolerance and preference for full sun make it resilient in challenging spots where other perennials struggle.
Photo © True Leaf Market(https://www.trueleafmarket.com/products/coreopsis-sunfire-flower-seeds)
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-9
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Low
Soil
Well-drained, Sandy Or Poor Soil
Preferred Temp60-75°F
Growth Stats
24 in
Height
PeriodPerennial
TypeBush
Spacing
12-18 inches apart
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Low
Zones
4-9
Size
24in H x ?in W
Growth
Perennial
Care
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Highlights
Sunfire earns its name from those generous sunburst-yellow semi-double daisy-like flowers that practically glow in midday sun. The plant was honored as a Fleuroselect Novelty Winner specifically for its uniform, early blooming habit and tidy growth form. Unlike sprawling coreopsis varieties, Sunfire stays compact and shrubby, filling window boxes, hanging baskets, and garden beds with disciplined abundance rather than chaotic charm. This cultivar bridges the gap between tender annual coreopsis and hardy perennials, giving you second-year persistence without sacrificing that vibrant, carefree look gardeners crave.
Common Uses
Sunfire Coreopsis is grown purely for ornamental impact. Its compact habit and abundance of blooms make it especially valuable for container gardening, window boxes, and hanging baskets where space is precious. In garden beds, it provides long-season color in full-sun areas where water is scarce or where a low-maintenance perennial border is desired.
Growing Timeline
First Bloom
Early Summer
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost at a soil temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during germination. Seedlings can be grown indoors for the first season and transplanted into the garden for second-year flowering.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant hardened-off seedlings outdoors after the last frost date once soil is workable. Space plants 18 inches apart in full-sun locations with well-drained soil. Water gently at planting time, then reduce frequency as roots establish.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds in spring after the last frost date or in fall 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. Scatter seeds on prepared soil and press gently into contact; do not bury them deeply.
Pruning
Deadhead spent flowers regularly throughout the growing season to encourage continuous blooming and maintain the neat, shrubby form for which Sunfire is bred. Cut back the entire plant to within 3 to 4 inches of the ground in late fall or early spring to rejuvenate growth for the coming season.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Native Species
Soil pH Range
6 – 7.5
Scientific Classification
Coreopsis grandiflora Hogg ex Sweet
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Coreopsis
Duration
Perennial
Growth Habit
Forb/herb
Native Status
L48 (N)CAN (I)
History & Origin
“Sunfire Coreopsis represents a deliberate breeding achievement within Coreopsis grandiflora, selected for improved uniformity and accelerated bloom timing. As a Fleuroselect Novelty Winner, it underwent rigorous evaluation across multiple growing regions before earning recognition. The variety emerged from efforts to enhance the classic coreopsis form, maintaining the species' legendary resilience while delivering more predictable and abundant flowering in a compact, garden-friendly package.”