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Canada Hawkweed

Hieracium umbellatum

Also known as Umbellate Hawkweed, Canadian Hawkweed, Narrowleaf Hawkweed

herbaceous☀️ full sun💧 low water❄ Hardy: Zone 3a – Zone 8b

Climate Match for your location

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A native North American wildflower with slender upright stems bearing small yellow flowers in branched clusters. It thrives in dry, open areas and requires little maintenance once established.

Why grow it

Canada hawkweed offers reliable performance in sandy or gravelly soils where many ornamental perennials struggle, making it useful for difficult sites with minimal water input. Compared to non-native hawkweeds, it supports native pollinators and integrates well into meadow or prairie plantings. Its modest height (typically 1-3 feet) and modest yellow flower display suit naturalistic landscapes where restraint is valued over showy blooms.

Watch out for

In fertile or consistently moist soil, Canada hawkweed may grow taller and more lush than typical, potentially requiring staking or cutting back to maintain form. The plant self-seeds readily, so deadheading may be necessary if volunteer seedlings become unwanted in adjacent beds.

Overview

Form
Upright
Growth Rate
moderate
Size
1.5–3′ tall × 1–1.5′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous
Family
Asteraceae
MedicinalPollinators & beneficial insectsEdible

Native to the United States

Native Range

North America

Native to: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Edible Parts

leaf

Season of Interest

SummerFall

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Companion Planting

Plants well with