Bidens (Bidens ferulifolia) is a little-known plant with yellow or orange daisy-like flowers. This short, spreading perennial with deeply divided, bright green foliage was originally found growing in southern Arizona and Mexico. It has since been bred into several large-flowered cultivars that are used as sun-loving annuals in cooler climate gardens. Bidens tolerates dry conditions when established and is well suited for planters and hanging baskets.
The beauty of Bidens is in its copious flowers and unique foliage. In fact, its species name, ferulifolia, refers to its ferny, fennel-like leaves. I like the Bidens cultivar known as Goldilocks Rocks®, which is a compact, trailing variety developed by Proven Winners. It grows 6 to 10 inches in height and has a 10- to 14- inches spread. It sports large, golden-yellow flowers along its cascading stems. The flowers are up to 3 inches across. Goldilocks Rocks® blooms from late spring to the end of fall, tolerates high heat, is drought tolerant, and is continuous blooming. Best of all, no deadheading of spent blossoms is required. It is a great spiller flower for combining with others in a planter. You can grow it as a perennial in USDA hardiness zones 9–11.
Proven Winners, a leading consumer plant brand and top-notch online source for flower information, classifies Bidens as a “second to go out” plant. This means you do not take your plant outside too early in the spring. Bidens does not like the cold. Wait until all danger of frost has passed. It requires a sunny location and well-drained soil. Good drainage is essential for Bidens. Provide drainage holes in your planter, use a quality potting mix, and elevate your planter with pot feet or something similar.
I combined Goldilocks Rocks® Bidens (Bidens ferulifolia) with purple ornamental cabbage and orange ornamental peppers in this fall planter. The bright yellow flowers insert a happy pop, and the bright green foliage sets it off nicely. I trimmed back the Bidens to keep it well shaped.
A close-up of Goldilocks Rocks® Bidens showing happy flowers and fernlike foliage.
The snowy-white blooms of ‘Whirlwind White’ fan flower, an annual, is a perfect choice for sunny planters, raised beds, and hanging baskets. It has a low, prostrate growth habit and can be grown alone or in combination with others in a container. Fan flower is self-cleaning, so no deadheading is necessary.
The ice cream colors of ‘Blue Wonder’ fan flower and ‘Bandana Pink’ lantana blend beautifully as they spill over the rim of an outdoor planter. Both of these flowers are tender perennials but are grown as deer-resistant annuals in cooler climates. They do exceptionally well in the heat of summer.
The yellow bamboo-like blades of ‘All Gold’ Japanese forest grass (Hakonechloa macra ‘All Gold’) create an eye-catching contrast to the profuse flowers of Whirlwind White fan flower (Scaevola aemula ‘Whirlwind White’). This graceful low-growing ornamental grass holds its bright golden color and makes an excellent companion to any of the colorful spreading blooms of fan flower. It is a wonderful deer-resistant combination for planters.