Smooth hawksbeard
Crepis capillaris · Asteraceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant smooth hawksbeard: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Crepis capillaris
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Type
- Annual or biennial herb
- Flowering
- May to September
- Adult size
- 20 to 60 cm in height
- Exposure
- Full sun to partial shade
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -15°C)
- Origin
- Western and central Europe
Care
Exposure
Plant your hawksbeard in full sun for optimal flowering, though it tolerates light partial shade. It appreciates well-ventilated and sunny locations that favor vigorous growth.
Soil and planting
Prefer well-draining soil, even poor or chalky. This pioneer plant adapts to almost all soil types, including dry and rocky terrain. Avoid overly wet soil that could promote rotting.
Watering
Water moderately, especially after planting. Once established, hawksbeard tolerates drought well and requires little watering. Increase watering in summer during prolonged heat.
Fertilizing
No fertilizer is necessary. This hardy and frugal plant grows without special amendments. Adding too much fertilizer could even encourage foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pruning and cleaning
Regularly remove spent flowers to extend blooming and prevent excessive self-seeding. Remove dried stems in late winter if you want to keep the plant tidy.
Diseases and pests
Hawksbeard is very resistant. It may occasionally be affected by aphids or rust in humid conditions. Favor good air circulation and avoid excessive moisture to prevent fungal problems.
Did you know?
Hawksbeard is a pioneer plant par excellence: it colonizes wastelands, gravel, and fallow land so rapidly that some consider it an invasive species in Europe. Its tiny seeds equipped with little white parachutes disperse remarkably far on the wind, making it an excellent candidate for butterfly and pollinator gardens.
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
- SunflowerHelianthus annuus
- YarrowAchillea millefolium
- Ox-eye daisyLeucanthemum vulgare
- SneezewortAchillea ptarmica
- Canadian goldenrodSolidago canadensis
- WormwoodArtemisia absinthium
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.