Kim,

Most would sow most perennials indoors in winter, harden them off outside during the day when the temps rise a bit, and then plant them into the garden in the spring. There's simply more control over the germination environment when done indoors. There are a few perennials that can be sown directly out-doors, but that's generally limited.

That being said, in theory, you could sow this Coreopsis directly outdoors, as long as temps there in NC are close to the directions.

I've sown and grown this plant, but only in nursery conditions.

Thank you for your response. I am not sure I will be able to replicate the conditions outside. Perhaps I will stick with more readily available "Early Sunrise" instead.

The requirements for 'Early Sunrise' should be very similar, as it is also a Coreopsis grandiflora type. These plants do readily "self-sow" in the garden all the time, but of course that would occur much later in the season, after the plant flowers and sets seed.

So really, it's just a matter of waiting (to sow them directly outdoors), and when you want to see flowering plants (this year or next).

Kim, I have had great luck sowing perennial seeds in pots outside. I am going to start some next week actually. I fill gallon containers with potting mix, sow the seeds on top, water, and leave them out for Mother Nature to do her thing. They come up when the weather warms and are always stronger plants than the ones I sow indoors under lights and under sweat box conditions. Give them plenty of time to get some size on their root systems before you put them into the garden beds.
I wouldn't recommend that you sow all your seed this way. But, if you try some indoors under the best conditions you can muster and try a few outside too, you just might come out with at least a few plants.

Thank you for the additional feedback and suggestions. I was thinking of buying "Early Sunrise" as a plant not growing them from seed. They seem to be more available than "Presto," but maybe I will try the outdoor pot method to see what happens. It can't hurt, I have plenty of extra pots. Thanks again!

I sowed c. 'Early Sunrise' directly in the garden years ago and if I remember right they bloomed the same year. Also winter sowed some in '07, again first year bloom. I consider 'Early Sunrise' an easy plant to grow from seed.