Solanna Golden Sphere
Solanna Golden Sphere
Fully Double, Golden Ball-Shaped Blooms All Summer
Solanna Golden Sphere Coreopsis (Coreopsis grandiflora 'Solanna Golden Sphere') stands out from ordinary tickseed with its fully double, golden-yellow flowers shaped like little pom-pom spheres, carried in profusion from early summer into fall. Compact, sun-loving, and tough, it's drought-tolerant once established and shrugged off by deer. Whether you're filling a sunny border in Edina, brightening a container in Maple Grove, or adding long-blooming gold in Woodbury — Solanna Golden Sphere is a cheerful, easy perennial for zone 4b–5a yards.
Solanna Golden Sphere Coreopsis Plant Details
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Coreopsis grandiflora 'Solanna Golden Sphere' |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous perennial (tickseed) |
| Mature Height | 12–16 inches |
| Mature Width | 12–16 inches |
| Sun | Full sun (6+ hours) for the most flowers |
| Water | Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| USDA Zones | 4–9 (Twin Cities is zone 4b–5a) |
| Soil | Well-draining; tolerates lean Minnesota soils. Avoid rich, wet ground. |
| Bloom | Fully double, golden-yellow spherical flowers; early summer into fall |
| Deer Resistance | Deer-resistant; loved by bees and butterflies |
| Winter Hardiness | Reliable to zone 4 |
Solanna Golden Sphere Coreopsis Uses in Minnesota Landscapes
Long-blooming border color
Its months-long bloom makes it a workhorse in a sunny perennial border in a Plymouth garden — pair it with blues and purples for contrast.
Containers and edging
Compact and tidy, it fits mixed containers and the front of beds in Eden Prairie.
Pollinator and low-water plantings
Bees and butterflies work the flowers, and its drought tolerance suits hot, lean sites.
Best Time to Plant Solanna Golden Sphere Coreopsis in Minnesota
Spring (late April–May) and early fall (late August–September) are both excellent. Avoid summer heat, and never plant after mid-October — frost-heaving kills new roots.
How to Plant Solanna Golden Sphere Coreopsis
- Choose a full-sun spot with good drainage.
- Dig wide, not deep; on heavy clay, add compost or grit to improve drainage.
- Set the crown at soil level; space plants 12–16 inches apart and water in well.
- Mulch 2 inches, kept off the crown.
- Deadhead or shear spent flowers to keep the bloom going all summer.
Watering Solanna Golden Sphere Coreopsis in Minnesota
First Year Watering Schedule
- Weeks 1–2: Every 2–3 days, deep and slow
- Month 1–2: Every 4–5 days
- Month 3–6: Weekly or less; let the soil surface dry between waterings
- Stop watering 2–3 weeks before ground freeze (typically late October in the Twin Cities).
After Year One
Established plants are drought-tolerant; water only during dry spells. It performs best in lean, well-drained soil rather than rich, wet ground.
How do I keep it blooming all season?
Shear off spent flowers regularly — deadheading is the key to coreopsis blooming from early summer right into fall.
What makes Solanna Golden Sphere different?
Its flowers are fully double and ball-shaped, a fuller, rounder look than the flat single daisies of common tickseed.
Will it survive a Minnesota winter?
Yes — hardy to zone 4. Leave the foliage over winter and cut it back in early spring; ensure good drainage for best survival.
You May Also Like
- Zagreb Coreopsis — a threadleaf tickseed with fine foliage
- Moonbeam Coreopsis — soft-yellow, airy threadleaf tickseed
- Moonshine Yarrow — another sun-loving, deer-resistant perennial