Queen-Devil Hawkweed: A Lesser-Known Member of the Hawkweed Family
If you’ve stumbled across the name queen-devil hawkweed in your plant research, you’re not alone in wondering what exactly this mysterious member of the hawkweed family is all about. Hieracium glomeratum, as botanists know it, is one of those plants that keeps a relatively low profile in gardening circles—and for good reason, as we’ll explore.
What is Queen-Devil Hawkweed?
Queen-devil hawkweed is a perennial forb, which is just a fancy way of saying it’s an herbaceous plant that comes back year after year without any woody stems. Like other members of the Hieracium genus, it’s part of the sunflower family and shares that characteristic daisy-like flower structure that makes hawkweeds recognizable to plant enthusiasts.
Native Status and Geographic Distribution
Here’s where things get interesting (and a bit concerning): queen-devil hawkweed isn’t actually native to North America. It’s an introduced species that has managed to establish itself and reproduce on its own in the wild. Currently, you’ll find it documented in Idaho and Washington, where it has settled into local ecosystems.
Should You Plant Queen-Devil Hawkweed?
This is where we need to pump the brakes a bit. While we don’t have definitive information about this particular species’ invasive potential, the hawkweed family has a bit of a reputation. Many of its cousins are known troublemakers in the garden and beyond, spreading aggressively and outcompeting native plants.
Given the limited information available about Hieracium glomeratum specifically, and considering it’s already established as a non-native species, we’d recommend taking a better safe than sorry approach.
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of rolling the dice with queen-devil hawkweed, consider these fantastic native alternatives that offer similar aesthetic appeal without the ecological concerns:
- Native asters – Gorgeous daisy-like flowers that pollinators absolutely love
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia species) – Cheerful yellow blooms that are virtually maintenance-free
- Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) – Stunning flowers that support local wildlife
- Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – Aromatic and beloved by bees and butterflies
Growing Conditions and Care
While specific growing information for queen-devil hawkweed is limited, hawkweeds generally prefer well-drained soils and can tolerate a range of light conditions. However, given our recommendation to explore native alternatives instead, we’d encourage you to research the specific needs of whichever native plant catches your eye.
The Bottom Line
Queen-devil hawkweed remains something of an enigma in the plant world. With limited research available and its status as a non-native species, it’s not the best choice for gardeners looking to create sustainable, ecologically beneficial landscapes. Your garden—and local ecosystem—will thank you for choosing well-documented native alternatives that provide known benefits to pollinators and wildlife.
Remember, every plant choice we make in our gardens is a vote for the kind of ecosystem we want to support. When in doubt, go native!
