Candy Corn

A beautiful annual, perfect for October

So bright and cheery! Is this a dahlia? Zinnia?

Great banner Zoia!

I also came to see what it is, but I couldn't find anything similar under dahlia or zinnia. Wonderful banner, Zoia!

Looks like Bidens ferulifolia - 'Blazing Embers' or similar. 'Blazing Embers' is on the database as a Bidens aurea variety. I think one of these is not far off the mark.

Keith, That looks like it. After reading a little about Bidens, I realized I am familiar with the seeds---they stick in clothes and fur and are difficult to remove---known as "Spanish needles" or "begger-ticks." I wonder if any of the cultivars are sterile? That would be great---such a pretty plant.
@Zoia what is your experience with the seed production of this plant?

Here's a nice article about Bidens species:
https://garden.org/ideas/view/...

Bidens kept coming to mind because of the flower shape but I didn't think any of them were multi-colored. Every year I try and cut the weed back here before it goes to seed and every year I miss at least one of them and get covered in those double-tined seeds that just dig into your clothes. Most times I don't even know where I picked them up from. And it's never just a few, it's always hundreds of them that I have to pick off one by one...

I bought it as a Fall annual last year. I have no idea if it seeded in place or not. Probably not? I didn't notice any seeds at the end of the season.