Bearded Beggarticks

Year-round

Long-bracted tickseed sunflower is an annual or biennial that reseeds itself, so plan for next year's volunteers.

• It grows 1 to 4 feet tall and likes full sun with wet to moist soil rich in organic matter.
• It tolerates some hot, dry weather.
• It can form large colonies by reseeding and can be aggressive on sunny, moist, disturbed ground.
• Bumblebees and other bees visit the flowers and birds eat the seeds.

Reseeding makes it look loose by the street, so it suits a back or side bed.

Fall

Fall is bloom and seed time, so choose between a wild look and fewer volunteers.

• It blooms from late summer to early fall for about 1 to 2 months.
• Leave the seed heads if you want birds and next year's plants.
• Remove spent flower heads before they ripen if you want to limit spread.

Winter

The plant is done for the year, and only seeds carry it forward.

• As an annual or biennial, the parent plant dies and does not need winter care.
• Seeds left on the ground are how it returns.
• Seeds feed small rodents and birds, so standing stalks have some wildlife value.

Spring

Spring is when seedlings pop up, so decide which ones stay.

• Thin volunteer seedlings to the spots you want.
• Pull extras early, since it forms large colonies by reseeding.
• Give it a sunny spot with moist, organic-rich soil.

Summer

Summer is growing season, so keep it moist while it bulks up.

• Water during dry spells since it prefers wet to moist soil.
• It handles some hot dry weather.
• Plants branch out and reach 1 to 4 feet.