227 Species in Genus Bidens

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.