Yellow hawksbeard
Crepis biennis · Asteraceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant yellow hawksbeard: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Crepis biennis
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Plant type
- Biennial herbaceous plant
- Flowering
- June to September
- Adult size
- 60 to 100 cm in height
- Hardiness
- Very hardy, down to -15°C
- Origin
- Temperate and western Europe
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Care
Exposure
Prefer a sunny or lightly shaded location for beautiful flowering. This plant adapts to most exposures and appreciates at least 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal development.
Soil
Crepis biennis tolerates a wide range of soils, even poor or chalky ones. Well-draining soil is preferable to avoid waterlogging. It thrives particularly in dry to moderately moist soil.
Watering
Water moderately, especially during the first year of establishment. Once established, this plant is quite tolerant of drought. During active growth, keep the soil slightly moist without excess.
Pruning and cutting
Remove spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming. At the end of the season, you can cut the plant back to ground level after fruiting. Pruning is not strictly necessary for plant health.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer application is generally necessary. If the soil is very depleted, a light balanced fertilizer application in spring is enough. This plant thrives on minimal nutrition.
Diseases and pests
Relatively robust, it can occasionally be affected by powdery mildew in very humid conditions. Check for slugs on young plants. Promote air circulation and avoid foliage watering to prevent problems.
Did you know?
Yellow chicory was once consumed as a vegetable plant in western Europe, particularly appreciated for its tender young leaves. Its roots, like those of many Asteraceae, contain inulin, a compound historically used in traditional medicine. Today, it brightens meadows with its small bright yellow flowers and attracts pollinators and butterflies.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.