Smooth Hawksbeard
Crepis capillaris
Also listed as Crepis diffusa, Crepis virens
Also known as Hawksbeard
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A slender, fast-growing perennial with delicate yellow flowers resembling miniature dandelions, commonly found in meadows and grasslands. Hardy and drought-tolerant once established, it spreads readily and may self-seed prolifically.
Why grow it
Smooth hawksbeard offers reliable early-season forage and nectar when many other wildflowers are still dormant, making it useful for supporting pollinators in spring. Compared to dandelion, it produces finer foliage and smaller flower heads while sharing similar hardiness and minimal nutrient demands. It establishes quickly in poor or disturbed soils where many ornamentals struggle, and tolerates both dry and moderately wet conditions once rooted.
Watch out for
Self-seeding can become persistent in managed garden areas, particularly in lighter soils or where vegetation is sparse, so regular monitoring helps prevent unwanted spread into adjacent beds. In some regions, seedlings may appear opportunistically in subsequent seasons even after the parent plant is removed.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native Range
Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A slender, fast-growing perennial with delicate yellow flowers resembling miniature dandelions, commonly found in meadows and grasslands. Hardy and drought-tolerant once established, it spreads readily and may self-seed prolifically.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Smooth Hawksbeard grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Smooth hawksbeard offers reliable early-season forage and nectar when many other wildflowers are still dormant, making it useful for supporting pollinators in spring. Compared to dandelion, it produces finer foliage and smaller flower heads while sharing similar hardiness and minimal nutrient demands. It establishes quickly in poor or disturbed soils where many ornamentals struggle, and tolerates both dry and moderately wet conditions once rooted.
Watch out for
Self-seeding can become persistent in managed garden areas, particularly in lighter soils or where vegetation is sparse, so regular monitoring helps prevent unwanted spread into adjacent beds. In some regions, seedlings may appear opportunistically in subsequent seasons even after the parent plant is removed.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Asteraceae
Native Range
Europe
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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