Tall Hawkweed: A European Perennial That’s Made Itself at Home
If you’ve ever spotted cheerful yellow flowers dotting a meadow or roadside in late spring, there’s a good chance you were looking at tall hawkweed (Hieracium piloselloides). This European native has quite the wanderlust—it’s established itself across much of North America, from the Maritime provinces of Canada all the way down to Georgia and as far west as Washington and Montana.
What Exactly Is Tall Hawkweed?
Tall 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. Think of it as the botanical equivalent of a reliable friend who shows up every spring without fail. Also known by its scientific name Hieracium piloselloides (sometimes listed as Hieracium florentinum), this plant forms low rosettes of fuzzy, grayish-green leaves that hug the ground.
The tall in its name is a bit misleading—this isn’t exactly a towering giant. The flower stems typically reach about 1-3 feet in height, topped with clusters of bright yellow, dandelion-like flowers that bloom from late spring through early fall.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
Tall hawkweed has quite an impressive North American resume. You can find it growing wild in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Newfoundland in Canada. In the United States, it’s established in Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Should You Plant Tall Hawkweed?
Here’s where things get interesting. As a non-native species, tall hawkweed sits in that gray area where it’s not necessarily problematic, but it’s not supporting our local ecosystems in the same way native plants do. If you’re considering it for your garden, here are some things to keep in mind:
The Pros:
- Extremely low maintenance once established
- Drought tolerant and adaptable to poor soils
- Provides nectar for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
- Long blooming season adds consistent color
- Works well in naturalized or meadow-style gardens
- Hardy in USDA zones 3-9
The Considerations:
- Can spread readily through both seeds and underground runners
- May outcompete native wildflowers in some situations
- Doesn’t provide the same ecological benefits as native alternatives
Growing Tall Hawkweed Successfully
If you decide to give tall hawkweed a try, you’ll find it’s refreshingly undemanding. This plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and isn’t picky about soil types, though it prefers well-drained conditions. Once established, it’s quite drought tolerant—perfect for those low-water garden areas.
Planting and Care Tips:
- Plant in spring or fall when temperatures are moderate
- Space plants about 12-18 inches apart
- Water regularly the first year to help establish roots
- After that, minimal watering needed except in extreme drought
- Deadhead spent flowers if you want to prevent self-seeding
- Divide clumps every 3-4 years if they become overcrowded
Native Alternatives to Consider
While tall hawkweed can certainly earn its place in the right garden setting, you might also consider these native alternatives that provide similar benefits while supporting local wildlife:
- Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) – offers purple flowers and attracts beneficial insects
- Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia species) – provides bright yellow blooms and feeds birds
- Wild columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) – adds unique flower shapes and supports specialized pollinators
- Native asters – offer late-season color and crucial fall pollinator support
The Bottom Line
Tall hawkweed is one of those plants that proves nature doesn’t always follow our neat categories. It’s not native, but it’s not necessarily harmful either. If you already have it growing wild on your property, there’s no urgent need to remove it—just keep an eye on its spread. If you’re planning a new garden, consider starting with native alternatives that will provide even greater benefits to local wildlife.
Whatever you choose, the most important thing is creating outdoor spaces that bring you joy while supporting the broader ecosystem. Sometimes that means embracing the plants that have already made themselves at home, and sometimes it means making room for the natives that have been waiting patiently for their turn to shine.
