Bidens ferulifolia
(sold as Yellow Empire)
Family: Asteraceae
Common names: BEGGAR'S TICKS, BUR-MARIGOLD, PITCHFORKS, SPANISH NEEDLES, STICKTIGHT, TICKSEED, WATER MARIGOLD
Native to: Guatemala, Mexico, Southern United States
Plant
Types: annual, perennial
Forms: dense form, erect
Max height: 1 foot
Max width: 1 foot
Flower
yellow
Leaf
green
Horticulture
Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bee, bird, specific butterfly species
Plant part consumed by birds: seeds
Exposure: sun
Landscape uses: container, flower fragrant
Propagates by: seed
flowers in fall
Soil type: wide range
USDA Zones: zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f, zone 10 to +30 f, zone 11 to +40 f
Temp. range: +10 to above +40 °F
Water: regular
Butterflies that feed on this plant
apical
profile
flower
Bidens, or BEGGAR'S TICKS, a member of the Compositae family, contains 270 species. Bidens attract many adult butterflies and hosts a few as well. When allowed to mature on the plant, the seeds are consumed by birds. Bidens prefer regular watering.
The fall flowering Bidens ferulifolia 'Yellow Empire' is quite commonly available for sale and can grow from seed. It is hardy in Zones 8-11, flowers in fall, and grows to a foot tall. It is treated as an annual in frosty Zones. It can be grown in a container and will attract honey bees.
Any variant of Bidens ferulifolia with Golden, or Yellow, or Goldilocks on the name tag is simply verifying the propensity of this plant to produce attractive yellow blossoms. You may find Bidens sold without the species name - e.g. Bidens 'Yellow Empire' or some such. It will likely have all the wonderful attributes of Bidens ferulifolia and will attract wildlife to your garden.
This plant, as with others in the Compositae family, attracts a long list of butterflies to nectar on the blossoms.
Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial
This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.
Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.
Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.
By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.
