227 Species in Genus Bidens

Bidens | Monsteraholic

Bidens Flowers: A Gardener’s Guide by Ferb Vu

For those seeking vibrant, easy-care flowers, look no further than Bidens. Often called “beggar’s ticks” or “tickseed sunflowers,” these cheerful blooms boast daisy-like flowers in shades of yellow, orange, white, pink, and even red.

Over the years, Bidens have become a favorite among gardeners for their resilience and continuous flowering throughout the summer. But with so many varieties and gardening myths surrounding them, here’s a breakdown to answer all your burning questions about Bidens flowers.

What are Bidens Flowers?

Bidens belong to the Asteraceae family, the same as daisies and sunflowers. There are roughly 230 species within the Bidens genus, found worldwide [Asteraceae family, Wikipedia]. These flowering plants are known for their fern-like foliage and cheerful, daisy-like blooms that resemble miniature sunflowers.

Bidens species

  1. Bidens acrifolia Sherff
  2. Bidens acuticaulis Sherff
  3. Bidens aequisquama (Fernald) Sherff
  4. Bidens alba (L.) DC.
  5. Bidens amplectens Sherff
  6. Bidens amplissima Greene
  7. Bidens andicola Kunth
  8. Bidens andongensis Hiern
  9. Bidens andrei Sherff
  10. Bidens angustissima Kunth
  11. Bidens anthemoides Sherff
  12. Bidens anthriscoides DC.
  13. Bidens aoraiensis M.L.Grant
  14. Bidens arenicola Sherff
  15. Bidens aristosa (Michx.) Britton
  16. Bidens asperata (Hutch. & Dalziel) Sherff
  17. Bidens asymmetrica Sherff
  18. Bidens aurea (Aiton) Sherff
  19. Bidens balsana Melchert
  20. Bidens barteri (Oliv. & Hiern) T.G.J.Rayner
  21. Bidens baumii Sherff
  22. Bidens beckiana (F.Br.) Sherff
  23. Bidens beckii Torr. ex Spreng.
  24. Bidens bicolor Greenm.
  25. Bidens bidentoides (Nutt.) Britton
  26. Bidens bigelovii A.Gray
  27. Bidens bipinnata L.
  28. Bidens bipontina Sherff
  29. Bidens biternata (Lour.) Merr. & Sherff
  30. Bidens blakei (Sherff) Melchert
  31. Bidens borianiana (Sch.Bip. ex Schweinf.) Cufod.
  32. Bidens brandegeei Sherff
  33. Bidens brasiliensis Sherff
  34. Bidens buchneri Sherff
  35. Bidens burundiensis M.Tadesse
  36. Bidens cabopulmensis León de la Luz & B.L.Turner
  37. Bidens campanulata Bringel & T.B.Cavalc.
  38. Bidens camporum (Hutch.) Mesfin
  39. Bidens campylotheca Sch.Bip.
  40. Bidens carinata Cufod. ex Mesfin
  41. Bidens cernua L.
  42. Bidens cervicata Sherff
  43. Bidens chiapensis Brandegee
  44. Bidens chippii (M.B.Moss) Mesfin
  45. Bidens chodatii Hassl.
  46. Bidens chrysanthemifolia (Kunth) Sherff
  47. Bidens cinerea Sherff
  48. Bidens clarendonensis Britton
  49. Bidens clavata Ballard
  50. Bidens colimana Melchert
  51. Bidens conjuncta Sherff
  52. Bidens connata Muhl. ex Willd.
  53. Bidens cordifolia Sch.Bip.
  54. Bidens cordylocarpa (A.Gray) D.J.Crawford
  55. Bidens cornuta Sherff
  56. Bidens cosmoides Sherff
  57. Bidens crocea Welw. ex O.Hoffm.
  58. Bidens cronquistii (Sherff) Melchert
  59. Bidens cynapiifolia Kunth
  60. Bidens × decipiens Warnst.
  61. Bidens deltoidea J.W.Moore
  62. Bidens discoidea Britton
  63. Bidens diversa Sherff
  64. Bidens domingensis O.E.Schulz
  65. Bidens eatonii Fernald
  66. Bidens edentula G.M.Barroso
  67. Bidens ekmanii O.E.Schulz ex Urb.
  68. Bidens elgonensis (Sherff) Agnew
  69. Bidens elliotii Sherff
  70. Bidens engleri O.E.Schulz
  71. Bidens esmartinezii Villaseñor
  72. Bidens evapelliana W.L.Wagner, J.R.Clark & Lorence
  73. Bidens exigua Sherff
  74. Bidens fischeri (O.Hoffm.) Sherff
  75. Bidens fistulosa Sch.Bip. ex Baker
  76. Bidens flabellata O.Hoffm.
  77. Bidens flagellaris Baker
  78. Bidens flagellata (Sherff) Mesfin
  79. Bidens forbesii Sherff
  80. Bidens frondosa L.
  81. Bidens gardneri Baker
  82. Bidens × garumnae Jeanj. & Debray
  83. Bidens gentryi Sherff
  84. Bidens ghedoensis Mesfin
  85. Bidens glandulifera M.L.Grant
  86. Bidens goiana B.L.Turner
  87. Bidens gracillima Sherff
  88. Bidens grantii Sherff
  89. Bidens graveolens Mart.
  90. Bidens gypsophila Miranda
  91. Bidens hassleriana (Chodat) A.A.Sáenz
  92. Bidens hawaiensis A.Gray
  93. Bidens hendersonensis Sherff
  94. Bidens henryi Sherff
  95. Bidens herzogii (Sherff) D.J.N.Hind
  96. Bidens heterodoxa Fernald & H.St.John
  97. Bidens heterosperma A.Gray
  98. Bidens hildebrandtii O.Hoffm.
  99. Bidens hillebrandiana (Drake) O.Deg. ex Sherff
  100. Bidens hintonii (Sherff) Melchert
  101. Bidens holstii Sherff
  102. Bidens holwayi Sherff & S.F.Blake
  103. Bidens hyperborea Greene
  104. Bidens insolita Sherff
  105. Bidens isostigmatoides Sherff
  106. Bidens kamerunensis Sherff
  107. Bidens kamtschatica Vassilcz.
  108. Bidens kilimandscharica (O.Hoffm.) Sherff
  109. Bidens kirkii Sherff
  110. Bidens laevis (L.) Britton, Sterns & Poggenb.
  111. Bidens lantanoides A.Gray
  112. Bidens lejolyana Lisowski
  113. Bidens lemmonii A.Gray
  114. Bidens leptocephala Sherff
  115. Bidens leptophylla C.H.An
  116. Bidens lineariloba Oliv.
  117. Bidens longistyla C.R.Hart
  118. Bidens macrocarpa Sherff
  119. Bidens macroptera (Sch.Bip. ex Chiov.) Mesfin
  120. Bidens magnifolia Sherff
  121. Bidens malawiensis Mesfin
  122. Bidens mandonii (Sherff) Cabrera
  123. Bidens mannii T.G.J.Rayner
  124. Bidens mathewsii Sherff
  125. Bidens mauiensis Sherff
  126. Bidens maximowicziana Oett.
  127. Bidens melchertii B.L.Turner
  128. Bidens menziesii Sherff
  129. Bidens mesfinii Anderb.
  130. Bidens mexicana Sherff
  131. Bidens meyeri V.A.Funk & K.R.Wood
  132. Bidens micrantha Gaudich.
  133. Bidens microcephala W.L.Wagner, J.R.Clark & Lorence
  134. Bidens microphylla Sherff
  135. Bidens minensis Sherff
  136. Bidens mitis Sherff
  137. Bidens mollifolia Sherff
  138. Bidens molokaiensis Sherff
  139. Bidens monticola Poepp.
  140. Bidens mooreensis M.L.Grant
  141. Bidens moorei Sherff
  142. Bidens × multiceps Fassett
  143. Bidens nana M.O.Dillon
  144. Bidens negriana (Sherff) Cufod.
  145. Bidens nobilioides Sherff
  146. Bidens nudata Brandegee
  147. Bidens oaxacana Melchert
  148. Bidens oblonga (Sherff) Wild
  149. Bidens occidentalis (Hutch. & Dalziel) Mesfin
  150. Bidens ocellata (Greenm.) Melchert
  151. Bidens ochracea Sherff
  152. Bidens odora (Sherff) T.G.J.Rayner
  153. Bidens oerstediana Sherff
  154. Bidens oligantha Brandegee
  155. Bidens oligoflora (Klatt) Wild
  156. Bidens orofenensis M.L.Grant
  157. Bidens ostruthioides (DC.) Sch.Bip.
  158. Bidens pachyloma (Oliv. & Hiern) Cufod.
  159. Bidens paniculata Hook. & Arn.
  160. Bidens parviflora Willd.
  161. Bidens pilosa L.
  162. Bidens pinnatipartita (O.Hoffm.) Wild
  163. Bidens × polakii Velen.
  164. Bidens polycephala Sch.Bip.
  165. Bidens polylepis S.F.Blake
  166. Bidens populifolia Sherff
  167. Bidens prestinaria (Sch.Bip. ex Walp.) Cufod.
  168. Bidens pringlei Greenm.
  169. Bidens pseudalausensis Sherff
  170. Bidens pseudocosmos Sherff
  171. Bidens radiata Thuill.
  172. Bidens raiateensis J.W.Moore
  173. Bidens reptans G.Don
  174. Bidens riedelii Baker
  175. Bidens riparia Kunth
  176. Bidens rosemaniana B.L.Turner & Melchert
  177. Bidens rostrata Melchert
  178. Bidens rubicundula Sherff
  179. Bidens rubifolia Kunth
  180. Bidens rueppellii (Sch.Bip. ex Walp.) Sherff
  181. Bidens ruyigiensis T.G.J.Rayner
  182. Bidens saint-johniana Sherff
  183. Bidens saltillensis Melchert
  184. Bidens sambucifolia Cav.
  185. Bidens sandvicensis Less.
  186. Bidens schaffneri (A.Gray) Sherff
  187. Bidens schimperi Sch.Bip. ex Walp.
  188. Bidens segetum Mart. ex Colla
  189. Bidens serboana B.L.Turner
  190. Bidens serrulata (Poir.) Desf.
  191. Bidens setigera (Sch.Bip. ex Walp.) Sherff
  192. Bidens sharpii (Sherff) Melchert
  193. Bidens shrevei Britton
  194. Bidens sierra-leonensis Mesfin
  195. Bidens simplicifolia C.H.Wright
  196. Bidens societatis J.W.Moore
  197. Bidens socorrensis Moran & G.A.Levin
  198. Bidens somaliensis Sherff
  199. Bidens steppia Sherff
  200. Bidens steyermarkii Sherff
  201. Bidens subalternans DC.
  202. Bidens subspiralis McVaugh
  203. Bidens taylorii Sherff
  204. Bidens tenera O.E.Schulz
  205. Bidens tenuisecta A.Gray
  206. Bidens ternata (Chiov.) Sherff
  207. Bidens tetraspinosa Majeed Kak & Javeid
  208. Bidens torta Sherff
  209. Bidens trelawniensis Proctor
  210. Bidens trichosperma (Michx.) Britton
  211. Bidens tripartita L.
  212. Bidens triplinervia Kunth
  213. Bidens uapensis (F.Br.) Sherff
  214. Bidens ugandensis (S.Moore) Sherff
  215. Bidens urceolata De Wild.
  216. Bidens urophylla Sherff
  217. Bidens valida Sherff
  218. Bidens vulgata Greene
  219. Bidens wailele K.R.Wood & Knope
  220. Bidens whytei Sherff
  221. Bidens wichmanii W.L.Wagner, J.R.Clark & Lorence
  222. Bidens wiebkei Sherff
  223. Bidens woodii W.L.Wagner, J.R.Clark & Lorence
  224. Bidens xanti (A.Gray) B.L.Turner
  225. Bidens xilinensis Y.Z.Zhao & L.Q.Zhao
  226. Bidens zairensis Lisowski
  227. Bidens zavattarii Cufod.

Are Bidens Flowers Annuals or Perennials?

Most Bidens varieties are grown as annuals, thriving for a single season and reaching maturity within a few months. However, in warmer climates (zones 8-11), some Bidens varieties can act as short-lived perennials, returning year after year with proper care [Bidens – Wikipedia].

Popular Bidens Varieties

With over 200 species, Bidens offer a diverse range of flower shapes, sizes, and colors. Here are some popular choices for your garden:

  • Bidens ferulifolia ‘Golden Nugget’: This compact variety features bright yellow, star-shaped petals with an orange center, perfect for containers and hanging baskets.
  • Bidens pilosa: Commonly called “blackjack” or “Spanish needles,” this variety produces a profusion of yellow, daisy-like blooms throughout the summer.
  • Bidens alba: This unique variety boasts pure white, daisy-like flowers that add a touch of elegance to any garden.
  • Bidens ‘Million Stars’: True to its name, this variety explodes with countless small, golden-yellow flowers that resemble a starry sky.

Bidens vs. Cosmos Flowers

Both Bidens and Cosmos flowers are popular choices for summer gardens, offering long blooming seasons and vibrant colors. Here’s a quick comparison:

  • Flower shape: Bidens boast daisy-like flowers with single or double rows of petals. Cosmos flowers have single rows of broad, flat petals, creating a more open and airy look.
  • Flower size: Bidens flowers come in a range of sizes, from small and delicate to larger and showier. Cosmos flowers tend to have larger blooms, adding a bolder statement to the garden.
  • Foliage: Bidens have finer, fern-like foliage, while Cosmos flowers boast broader, feathery leaves.
  • Growth habit: Bidens can be trailing, mounding, or upright depending on the variety. Cosmos flowers typically grow in a bushier, upright form.

How to care for Bidens Flowers?

Bidens are a gardener’s dream, requiring minimal care to thrive. Here’s what you need to know:

  • Light: Bidens prefer full sun but can tolerate some light afternoon shade.
  • Soil: Plant Bidens in well-drained, fertile soil. Amending your soil with compost before planting is beneficial.
  • Watering: Water your Bidens regularly, especially during hot and dry periods. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
  • Fertilizing: Bidens are not heavy feeders. A light application of balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season is sufficient.
  • Deadheading: Regularly deadheading spent flowers will encourage continuous blooming throughout the summer. Simply pinch off the faded blooms at the base of the stem.

Are Bidens Flowers Invasive?

While some Bidens varieties can self-seed readily, they are not typically considered invasive plants. However, it’s always a good practice to deadhead spent flowers before they go to seed to control their spread, especially if you have limited space in your garden.

Bidens Flowers: A Summertime Delight

With their vibrant colors, easy care, and long blooming season, Bidens flowers are a valuable addition to any garden. Whether you choose trailing varieties for hanging baskets or mounding varieties for borders, Bidens will bring a burst of cheer and effortless beauty to your summer landscape.

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