Hawkweed (Hieracium ×flagellare): What You Need to Know About This Non-Native Perennial
If you’ve spotted a yellow-flowered plant that looks suspiciously like a dandelion’s cousin in your garden or local area, you might be looking at Hieracium ×flagellare, commonly known as hawkweed. This perennial forb has made itself at home across many parts of North America, though it’s not originally from here.
What Exactly Is This Plant?
Hieracium ×flagellare is a hybrid hawkweed species – that little × symbol in its botanical name is a dead giveaway that this plant is the result of two different hawkweed species getting together. As a perennial forb, it’s an herbaceous plant without woody stems, meaning it dies back to the ground each winter and returns from its roots the following spring.
This plant belongs to the same family as dandelions and shares some similar characteristics, which can make identification a bit tricky for the casual observer.
Where You’ll Find It
Originally from Europe, this hawkweed has established itself across a impressive range in North America. You can find it growing in parts of Canada including British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island, as well as Quebec. In the United States, it’s present in Connecticut, Delaware, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and Wyoming.
Should You Plant It in Your Garden?
Here’s where things get a bit complicated. While Hieracium ×flagellare isn’t officially listed as invasive in most areas, its non-native status means it doesn’t provide the same ecological benefits as our native plants. Since detailed growing information for this specific hybrid is limited, and it reproduces on its own in the wild, it’s not typically cultivated intentionally.
If you’re looking for similar-looking native alternatives that will better support local wildlife, consider these options:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) for similar flower appeal
- Native sunflowers (Helianthus species) for yellow blooms
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia species) for cheerful yellow flowers
- Native asters for late-season color
What We Know About Growing Conditions
Since this hawkweed has naturalized across such a wide geographic range – from the Maritime provinces to Wyoming – it’s clearly adaptable to various growing conditions. Like many hawkweed species, it likely prefers:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Well-draining soils
- Average moisture conditions
- A range of soil types
The Bottom Line
While Hieracium ×flagellare might pop up in your garden on its own, it’s not a plant most gardeners actively seek out. Its hybrid nature and limited horticultural information make it more of a wild card than a reliable garden performer. If you’re passionate about supporting local ecosystems and wildlife, focusing on native alternatives will give you more bang for your gardening buck.
That said, if this hawkweed has already made itself comfortable in your landscape and isn’t causing problems, there’s no urgent need to remove it. Just keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t start crowding out more desirable plants, and consider gradually replacing it with native species that offer better wildlife value.
Remember, the best gardens are those that work with nature rather than against it – and that often means choosing plants that have co-evolved with local wildlife over thousands of years.
