Botanical Name: Bidens ferulifolia ‘Golden Empire’

Common Name: Bidens, Beggarticks

Hardiness Zone: Annual in Most Climates; Perennial in Warm Regions (USDA Zones 9–11)

Size: 12–16" Tall × 18–30" Spread

Growth Habit: Spreading, Mounding, Trailing Habit

Sunlight: Thrives in Full Sun

Soil: Prefers Well-Drained Soil; Adapts to Average Garden Soils

Water Needs: Low to Moderate; Drought Tolerant Once Established

Bloom Season: Late Spring through Frost

Fertilizer: Light, Regular Feeding During Active Growth

Features: Bright Golden-Yellow Blooms, Extra-Large Flowers, Heavy Blooming, Heat Tolerant, Self-Cleaning

Uses: Ideal for Containers, Hanging Baskets, Window Boxes, Edging, Groundcover-Style Plantings, and Mass Displays

Patent: ✔ Patented

Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our complete Bidens Plant Guide for more in depth care details.

More About Bidens ‘Golden Empire’

Bidens ‘Golden Empire’ is a standout selection known for its larger-than-average golden-yellow blooms and vigorous growth. The flowers are bright, cheerful, and produced in abundance, creating a bold carpet of color that remains strong from planting through frost.

This variety forms a spreading, slightly trailing habit that fills space quickly without becoming unruly. Unlike older bidens selections that could stretch or thin out mid-summer, ‘Golden Empire’ maintains a fuller, more balanced form while continuing to flower heavily.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our trials, ‘Golden Empire’ has proven to be exceptionally reliable in full sun and high heat. It establishes quickly, tolerates dry periods once settled, and continues flowering steadily even during peak summer temperatures.

We especially like its versatility. It works beautifully as a spiller in mixed containers, fills in along borders, and can even be used as a low, flowering ground cover in sunny areas. Pollinators, particularly bees, are frequent visitors, and the self-cleaning blooms keep maintenance to a minimum.

‘Golden Empire’ vs. Other Bidens

Bidens ‘Golden Empire’ is the quintessential golden bidens — sunny, cheerful, and abundant. It produces masses of pure yellow blooms that glow in full sun, spreading vigorously with a slightly trailing habit that lends itself beautifully to combination containers, window boxes, or spilling over edges. When compared to Bidens ‘Blazing Star’, ‘Golden Empire’ offers a cleaner yellow rather than the richer, warmer gold-orange of Blazing Star, making it feel brighter and more universally adaptable.

Next to Bidens ‘Pretty in Pink, its sunshine color provides a lively contrast that enhances pink tones without overwhelming them. Against ‘White Delight™ Improved’, the golden flowers create a cheerful, high-contrast combination that feels fresh and sunny, perfect for uplifting plantings in spring and summer. Its classic golden tone makes it one of the most versatile bidens for pairing across color themes.