Summer is in full swing, and so are summer flowering perennials like coreopsis (tickseed). Coreopsis has long been a favorite of mine. Their cheerful, bright golden flowers shine like the sun, recalling fond memories of small bouquets for the table, and the image of my older sister tucking them into lovely arrangements for the annual flower show each summer. Coreopsis are hardy, long-lived perennials. They prefer average, well-drained garden soil, but will perform nicely in gravely, sandy or heavier soils that have been amended with good quality compost or composted manure. Of the many wonderful varieties we carry, Coreopsis ‘Early Sunrise’, is an All American Winner. ‘Early Sunrise’ is a compact selection. Clumps mature at 12” tall and wide, making it a great choice for the front of the border. Its long-lasting, golden-yellow, double 1.5-2” flowers add a ruffled softness to these strong and sturdy plants. Keep your coreopsis blooming longer by removing the spent blooms as the flowers fade. This keeps a clean looking plant and encourages more buds.