Red Satin Coreopsis
Red Satin Coreopsis
Hardy Red Daisies With a Gold Eye, All Summer Long
Red Satin Coreopsis (Coreopsis 'Red Satin') is one of the hardiest red-flowered tickseeds, covering a tidy, bushy plant with velvety red daisies centered in gold from early summer into fall. Bred for cold tolerance and a long bloom season, it's drought-tough, deer-resistant, and a magnet for bees and butterflies. A reliable, vivid choice for sunny borders in Edina, Woodbury, and Maple Grove.
Red Satin Coreopsis Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Coreopsis 'Red Satin' (Big Bang series) |
| Mature Size | 15–20 in. tall, 18–24 in. wide |
| Hardiness Zone | 4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a — fully hardy) |
| Light | Full sun (6+ hours) |
| Bloom Time | Early summer into fall |
| Flower Color | Velvety red with a gold eye |
| Soil | Well-drained; tolerates clay and lean soil if not soggy |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to about -25°F once established |
| Deer Resistance | Rarely browsed by deer or rabbits |
Landscape Uses in Minnesota
Long-blooming sunny borders: Its bushy habit and red blooms make a vivid mid-border or front planting. Deadhead or shear to keep flowers coming. Space 18–20 inches apart.
Pollinator and low-water beds: Bees and butterflies love it, and it thrives in hot, dry spots. Pair with coneflower, catmint, and ornamental grasses.
Best Time to Plant in Minnesota
Plant in spring (late April–May) or early fall. Provide good drainage; avoid soggy winter soil.
How to Plant Red Satin Coreopsis
Dig a hole twice the pot's width at the same depth, amending heavy clay with compost. Set the crown level, backfill, water in, and mulch lightly, keeping mulch off the crown. Space 18–20 inches apart.
Watering Red Satin Coreopsis
First year: Water every 2–3 days at first, then weekly. Stop 2–3 weeks before the ground freezes.
After year one: Drought-tolerant — water only during extended dry spells.
Q: Is red coreopsis really hardy here?
Yes — Red Satin was bred for cold tolerance and is one of the most reliably hardy red tickseeds for zone 4.
Q: How do I keep it blooming?
Deadhead or give it a light midsummer shear to spur fresh flowers into fall.
Q: Is it deer-resistant?
Yes — deer and rabbits rarely bother coreopsis.
Q: Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to zone 4 with good drainage; avoid wet winter soil.
You May Also Like
Zagreb Coreopsis (Coreopsis verticillata): A golden, threadleaf tickseed for sunny borders.
Coneflower (Echinacea): A native pollinator partner with matching toughness.
Catmint (Nepeta): Blue spikes that contrast the red daisies.
How Many Red Satin Coreopsis Do I Need?
At 18–24 inches wide, space plants about 20 inches apart for a knitted drift of red along a sunny border.
| Bed Run | Plants Needed (at 20 in spacing) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 3 |
| 10 ft | 6 |
| 15 ft | 9 |
| 20 ft | 12 |
Plant in drifts of 3–5 for the boldest color block; the velvety red reads strongly even from across the yard.
Red Satin Coreopsis Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: A low, bushy mound of fine green foliage fills in.
- Summer: Velvety red, gold-eyed daisies blanket the plant from early summer onward.
- Fall: Bloom continues until frost; a light midsummer shear keeps fresh flowers coming.
- Winter: Cut back after frost; a light mulch protects the crown through wet-cold spells.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Zagreb Coreopsis — a golden threadleaf tickseed to play off the red daisies.
- Magnus Coneflower — a tough native pollinator partner with purple blooms.
- Little Bluestem — an upright native grass for airy, drought-tough structure.
- Autumn Fire Sedum — rust-red fall heads that echo the coreopsis color late in the season.
Is Red Satin Coreopsis Right for Your Yard?
It thrives in full sun and well-drained, even lean, soil — ideal for hot, dry borders and pollinator beds where many perennials struggle. Not a fit for shade or for low spots that stay soggy over winter, where the crown is prone to rot.