Guide to growing garden plants - Hieracium Hawkweed
Hieracium consists of a large genus of hardy perennials.
They are weedy and woody in nature and some species have an attractive silvery foliage.
They bloom from late spring through to autumn with orange or yellow flowers that are similar to those of dandelions.
They reach heights of 30 to 40cm, making them a bigger plant for use in a rock garden.
Some of the common species of Hieracium that are used by gardeners are Hawkweed and devil's Paintbrush.
How to grow Hawkweed (Hieracium)
When growing Hawkweed and other Hieracium in the garden it is important to realise that they can fast become weeds, so only grow if you have the time to maintain them properly by removing flower heads before they have a chance to set seed. Hawkweed seeds should be sown into a sunny part of the garden before the last frost of early spring. Simply cover the soil once sown. Hieracium can grow in poor soil, and has a preference for a dry soil with good drainage.
You may find it easier to have control of Hawkweed if you start them off indoors. They should be prepared about two months before they are due to be transplanted in the spring before the last frost. Hieracium take about three or four weeks to germinate at a temperature of 10 to 15 degrees centigrade. Plant out at a spacing of about 25cm.
Caring for Hieracium plants
Once growing it is very important to keep an eye on Hieracium to stop them spreading; remove all Hieracium flowers before they have a chance to set seed.