Hairy cat's ear
Hypochaeris radicata · Asteraceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant hairy cat's ear: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- May to September
- Adult size
- 30 to 60 cm tall
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Western and Mediterranean Europe
- Soil type
- Well-drained, rather dry, poor to medium
Care
Exposure
Place your hawksbeard in full sun or partial shade for optimal flowering. It tolerates direct exposure and warm conditions very well. A sunny location promotes abundant and prolonged flowering.
Watering
Water moderately during growth, then reduce watering once established. This plant prefers dry soils and handles drought well. Excess moisture encourages fungal diseases.
Soil and drainage
Choose well-drained, poor to medium soil, and avoid overly rich or compacted earth. Adding sand or gravel improves drainage if your soil is heavy. This species thrives in arid and rocky conditions.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer is necessary; hawksbeard is content with poor soils. Excessive nitrogen promotes foliage at the expense of flowering and makes it more prone to disease.
Pruning and deadheading
Regularly remove faded flowers to extend blooming and limit self-seeding. Cleaning dead leaves at the base in late winter keeps the plant vigorous. No severe pruning is needed.
Diseases and pests
Hawksbeard is generally very hardy against pests. In overly wet soils, root rot may appear. Ensure good drainage and sufficient air circulation to prevent fungal problems.
Did you know?
The hawksbeard owes its scientific name Hypochaeris to a supposed resemblance to a plant described by Pliny the Elder. Considered a useful "weed" in organic farming, it enriches pastures and dry meadows while serving as a pioneer plant to colonize degraded lands. Its deep taproots capture nutrients inaccessible to other plants.
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.