Golden Empire

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Bidens

Species

ferulifolia

Description

An ornamental herbaceous plant native to Southern Arizona, Texas and Mexico, with compact, vigorous growth and a globular habit with abundant branching. The copious flowering lasts from early spring until mid-autumn with a profusion of brightly coloured, shiny flowers with a delicate, fruity, honey-like scent that is appreciated by pollinating insects. It is used to add colour and elegance to flowerbeds, planters and tubs, even in arrangements with other ornamental species, being one of the first seasonal flowers to bloom. Due to its versatility and ability to remain compact, it is easy to manage and grow in green spaces of any size, and also tolerates low temperatures.

Variety description

The golden empire is a special variety of bidens with a very compact and early upright habit, for pot 10-13. The flower is single, not large, with shiny golden-yellow petals, which are fuller than in other bidens. It is one of the market's favourite bidens, also due to its great rusticity and greater resistance to occasional dry spells, which it withstands without great damage. It is very re-blooming and attractive to bees and butterflies. It is one of the first seasonal plants to flower and thanks to its resistance to cold it can be bought and placed on the balcony when minimum temperatures can still fall to 5-6°c. In a greenhouse it can be grown at low temperatures from the very beginning, but preferably after the plant has emitted 4-6 cm. of new roots in the cultivation soil. Avoid even temporary waterlogging at the beginning of cultivation. If grown well aerated, it does not require phytoregulators.

Curiosities and special features

The name of the genus, Bidens, derives from the Latin words bis and dens, i.e. 'two-toothed' in reference to the two rests present in some species on the fruits, called achenes, while the specific epithet derives from 'ferula' and 'folia' as the leaves resemble those of Ferula communis. The bidens plant was used in natural folk medicine in some areas of origin.

Origin and distribution

Native to northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, B. ferulifolia was introduced to England in the 1700s before arriving in gardens throughout Europe; it is the most widely cultivated species of the genus Bidens, and the varieties available today are prized for their speed of growth as well as their abundant, brilliant and prolonged flowering.

Flower size

The flower is considered medium, compared to other varieties.

Leaf

Leaf has bipinnate lamina.

Flowering period

It is one of the first seasonal plants to flower.

Flowering lasts from early spring to mid-autumn for between 180 and 220 days. This time interval also includes periods when not many ornamental flowering species are available, thus representing a good solution with a view to having several blooms throughout the year.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence head, typical of many Species belonging to the botanical family of the Compositae.

Leaf colour

Leaf Solid colour.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.15 to 0.35 m, making it suitable for compact and colourful ornamental solutions, which can be combined with more height-developed blooms.

Lifespan

It is an annual plant.

Where to plant

Used to provide a bright accent of colour in flower beds, balconies, terraces, tubs, planters already in early spring

Stem

The stem is herbaceous, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, medium-sized, with a dialipetal corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in head-like inflorescences of medium size. It flowers from early spring to mid-autumn, with a flowering period of between 180 and 220 days. It is mildly fragrant, with a fruity aroma. It is attractive to bees, butterflies and bumblebees.

Growth

Variety with compact growth, ideal for use in both flowerbeds and planters.

Plant habit

Plant habit makes it suitable for adorning highly decorative green spaces, also in Composition with other ornamentals.

Branching

It develops with abundant branching that gives it a pleasant decorative appearance, with the presence of colourful flower patches within a dense, rich vegetation.

PH

The optimal pH of the Soil/medium is slightly acidic, between 5.8 and 6.5.

Soil preparation

To prepare the soil for spring transplanting into the flower bed, lightly dig up the soil, removing any weeds and bulky stones or pebbles, then bury organic or slow-release chemical fertiliser and break up the coarsest clods with a hoe to improve fertiliser distribution. In order to favour the drainage of any excess water, proceed with the creation of a raised bed by slightly bouldering the soil, then add professional substrate to the surface to a height of 5/10 cm and carefully level it out.

Sun exposure

Exposure in half shade, light shade, full sun are suitable conditions for a balanced vegetative development of the plant.

Ideal climate and temperature

Early variety, among the first seasonal ones to flower when spring temperatures are still quite low. The biological temperature is between 5 and 32 °C. The ideal temperature is between 10 and 24 °C.

Use

Due to its early and prolonged flowering, it is suitable as a plant in:

Outdoor ornamental

Hardiness

Variety of medium hardiness, prefers mild climates.

Soil

For use in flowerbeds, the soil must be light, well drained and softened, while in pots and planters, use a spring plant substrate containing peat and perlite.

Difficulty

Aplantthat is easy to grow and maintain, the level of management effort required is medium.

Growing tips

For best growth and flowering results, the following aspects and cultivation conditions are indicated:

Balanced fertilisation At least 10 hours of daylight Ensure at least 6 hours of direct light Require abundant but no stagnant watering

Combinations with other plants

Suitable for compositions with ornamentals such as Calibrachoa, Petunia x hybrida, Scaevola aemula, Verbena x hybrida. In general, for large tubs and planters, choose according to an initial planning based on aspects such as height, bearing and colour of the blooms, species that are not vigorous in order to allow each individual plant to develop to its best advantage and thus achieve a well-proportioned overall result.

Planting

The optimum average planting density in flower beds is 22 plants per square metre. It is suggested that each plant be placed on a raised bed with the collar off the soil surface, making sure not to damage the roots and watering immediately after transplanting.

Propagation

Itis possible to propagate both from seed and from cuttings.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively well or aqueduct water with neutral pH, either manually or by irrigation. After transplanting, assist the seedling to allow it to develop properly in the new site while maintaining constant soil moisture. Afterwards water regularly, avoiding both dry spells, which can lead to leaves and flowers falling off, and excesses and waterlogging resulting in root rot.

Fertilising

Before transplanting, carry out a basic fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. After proper establishment in the new planting site, in order to keep the Leaf green and achieve thriving flowering, periodically apply a specific fertiliser for Flowering plants to the Soil/medium without exceeding the doses and frequencies.

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity for pets not known, consider case-specific.

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Toxicity for humans

Ingestion toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Tip

During summer cultivation, Bidens Fiordoro must be well watered and fertilised in order to maintain green leaves and a beautiful flowering that can last continuously for 4-5 months or more. Flowering will last until the first frost. The adult plant tolerates a few degrees below zero without major problems. In large pots and tubs it lends itself to forming beautiful arrangements with blue-white and pink flowers, with varieties that are not vigorous. In summer, it can be kept in full sun even in the lowlands, especially in flowerbeds where the yield is even better than in tubs.