Bidens ferulifolia - Apache Beggarticks

Bidens ferulifolia is a lush and remarkably floriferous container plant. Forming a bushy and trailing clump, it is covered in a multitude of bright golden yellow flowers, slightly scented, resembling small sunflowers with eight petals. They bloom from summer until frost, densely packed on a small, deeply cut foliage of bright green. This less hardy perennial thrives as a ground cover in borders or rockeries, planted in the ground in mild climates. Elsewhere, it is grown as an annual, in full sun, in moist but well-drained soil.

Bidens ferulifolia, also known as Fernleaf Bidens, is a perennial annual (semi-hardy in very mild climates) from the Asteraceae family, native to Mexico and Arizona. Its lifespan is brief, but its growth is very rapid. The plant forms a large cushion of leafy stems, 40 cm (16in) tall and 50 to 60 cm (20 to 24in) wide. Its long flowering period begins in June and lasts until the first autumn frosts. The plant produces large flowers, reaching 5 cm (2in) in diameter, carried on slender axillary peduncles, and composed of eight bright yellow petals arranged around a yellow centre that turns brownish at maturity. They emit a light fragrance evoking that of honey. The foliage is very dense and particularly ornamental, consisting of small leaves divided into very narrow linear segments, of a very vibrant green colour.

Bidens grow very quickly and are very floriferous. They are not demanding in terms of water and are particularly suited to pot cultivation, hanging baskets, rockeries, or summer borders. They happily coexist with other annuals such as Lobelia, Bacopa, and Diascia, allowing for multiple colour combinations. For example, they pair perfectly with red balcony geraniums, Surfinia, or petunias in shades of purple, or with salvias offering blue flowers.