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
How Many Solanna Golden Sphere Coreopsis Do I Need?
Compact at 12–16 in wide, so space about 14 in apart for a solid ribbon of gold:
| Run Length | Plants Needed (14 in spacing) |
|---|---|
| 5 ft | 4 |
| 10 ft | 8 |
| 15 ft | 13 |
| 20 ft | 17 |
It also shines in containers and at the front of beds; group 3–5 for the fullest pom-pom display.
Solanna Golden Sphere Coreopsis Season-by-Season in Minnesota
- Spring: A tidy, compact green mound fills in at the front of the border.
- Summer: Smothered in fully double, golden ball-shaped flowers that bees and butterflies love.
- Fall: Regular deadheading keeps the gold coming right up to frost.
- Winter: Leave the foliage for the season and cut back in early spring; hardy to zone 4.
At a Glance
✔ Pollinator-Friendly ✔ Deer-Resistant ✔ Drought-Tolerant
Plant It With
- Zagreb Coreopsis — a fine-textured threadleaf tickseed for contrast in form.
- Moonbeam Coreopsis — soft, airy pale-yellow blooms that soften the bold spheres.
- Moonshine Yarrow — flat lemon-yellow heads that extend the sunny, deer-proof palette.
- Magnus Coneflower — a rosy-purple counterpoint and pollinator magnet.
Is Solanna Golden Sphere Coreopsis Right for Your Yard?
It thrives in full sun in lean, well-drained soil, blooming for months with just regular deadheading while deer leave it alone. It is not a fit for rich, wet ground—which shortens its life—or shade, where the flowering drops off sharply.