Overview
Hieracium villosum is a perennial herb in the genus Hieracium, part of the Asteraceae family. Hieracium villosum grows best in full sun, and tolerates well-drained and rocky or sandy soil soils. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include rock gardens and alpine gardens. It is native to Baltic States, Albania, Austria, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Macedonia and Slovenia.
About
Hieracium villosum is a perennial herb in the Asteraceae that forms a dense basal rosette of silver-grey, woolly leaves. Flowering stalks rise above the foliage to carry bright yellow heads from June to August. It favours free-draining, rocky or sandy sites in full sun and is suited to rock and alpine gardens.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hieracium villosum
About the genus
Hieracium , known by the common name hawkweed and classically as hierakion, is a genus of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae, and closely related to dandelion (Taraxacum), chicory (Cichorium), prickly lettuce (Lactuca) and sow thistle (Sonchus), which are part of the tribe Cichorieae. Hawkweeds, with their 10,000+ recorded species and subspecies, do their part to make Asteraceae the second largest family of flowering plants. Some botanists group all these species or subspecies into approximately 800 accepted species, while others prefer to accept several thousand species.
Wikipedia contributors, "Hieracium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Hieracium
In the garden
A perennial herb in the daisy family (Asteraceae), Hieracium villosum originates from parts of Central and Southeast Europe, including the Baltic States, Albania, Austria, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Macedonia and Slovenia. Its low, woolly basal rosette of silver-grey leaves is characteristic and the flower stems bear bright yellow heads on white-hairy stalks during the June to August flowering period. Give Hieracium villosum a sunny position with very good drainage: a rocky or sandy soil is ideal and the plant prefers dry to medium moisture rather than sitting wet. It is fully hardy (H7), so it can be left in the open through UK winters; avoid heavy, compacted soils and improve drainage with grit or coarse sand if necessary. Plant into crevices, raised rockeries or shallow, free-draining beds where the crown can remain dry. Use this hawkweed in rock gardens, alpine borders or stone troughs where the silver rosette will contrast with darker rock or neighbouring mat-forming plants. Expect the basal leaves to frame the June–August flower heads, the silver foliage remaining a distinctive feature when the blooms fade.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Hieracium
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil type
- well-drained, rocky or sandy soil
- Soil moisture
- dry to medium
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Hieracium villosum size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- perennial herb
- Suggested uses
- rock gardens, alpine gardens
- Native to
- Baltic States, Albania, Austria, Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Macedonia, Slovenia
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Hieracium villosum
- Cultivation
- Prefers well-drained soil and full sun; drought tolerant once established
- Pruning
- Remove dead flower heads to encourage further blooming
- Propagation
- seed, division
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Hieracium villosum?
Prefers well-drained soil and full sun; drought tolerant once established.
Where is the best place to plant Hieracium villosum?
Hieracium villosum prefers full sun.
What soil does Hieracium villosum need?
Hieracium villosum grows best in well-drained and rocky or sandy soil soil. Aim for soil that stays dry to medium.
How do I prune Hieracium villosum?
Remove dead flower heads to encourage further blooming.
Is Hieracium villosum hardy in the UK?
Hieracium villosum has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Hieracium villosum?
Seed, division.
More in the Hieracium genus
- Hieracium glaucum
- Hieracium lanatumHawkweed
- Hieracium arnicoides
- Hieracium perpropinquum (Zahn) Pugsl.
- Hieracium perpropinquum Druce