Product Field NotesCompanion Plants
Li'l Bang Daybreak Coreopsis: Red-and-Gold Edging All Summer
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Li'l Bang™ Daybreak coreopsis is a low, tidy coreopsis with flowers that look like a sunrise: a wide orange-red band covering most of each petal, fading to fringed golden tips around a small gold center. The flowers are sterile, so instead of setting seed they keep coming from late June into early fall, no deadheading required.
Daybreak at a glance
| Trait | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Coreopsis Li'l Bang™ Daybreak |
| Flowers | About 1.5 inches, orange-red center band with golden-yellow tips |
| Foliage | Narrow, dark green, disease resistant |
| Size | 8 to 12 inches tall, 12 to 18 inches wide |
| Bloom | Late June into early fall, peak mid-July |
| Hardiness | USDA zones 5 to 9 |
| Light | Full sun |
| Wildlife | Great for pollinators; deer resistant |
Warm colors in front of cool lavender
Most lavender companions lean cool: whites, blues, silvers. Daybreak goes the other way. Its red-and-gold flowers sit opposite purple on the color wheel, so a low band of it in front of a lavender row makes both look brighter. Because it stays under a foot tall, it never blocks the view of the lavender behind it.
Both plants want full sun and well-drained soil, and both are happiest when you do not fuss over them. Leave a few inches between the coreopsis and the lavender crowns so air keeps moving. Sketch the edging in the Companion Plant Planner.
Planting and care
- Soil: lean to average, well drained. Wet winter soil is the main cause of loss.
- Water: regularly while it establishes, then occasionally in long droughts, when flowering otherwise slows.
- Midsummer trim: no deadheading needed, but a light shearing in midsummer keeps the mound fresh and tidy.
- Airflow: crowded clumps can pick up powdery mildew in muggy, still weather.
- Winter: leave stems standing and cut back in spring when new growth appears.
Where else it shines
Beyond lavender edging, Daybreak fits rock gardens, prairie-style plantings, mass plantings and containers. Its long season and heat tolerance make it a good choice for a hot, sunny spot by a driveway or walk, the kind of place where lavender also does well.
Frequently asked questions
Why does it bloom so long?
Its flowers are sterile, so the plant does not put energy into seed. It just keeps making flowers from late June into early fall.
Is it good for cut flowers?
It is fair for cutting. The short, wiry stems suit small jars better than big arrangements.
How is it sold?
As a full 72-cell plug tray, which suits growers and anyone edging long beds. See the product page for current availability and the Wholesale Hub for other trays.
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