Hieracium aethiadenium

Hawkweed

★

Taxonomy

Description

Hieracium aethiadenium is a petite, alpine hawkweed with cheerful yellow daisies held above neat basal rosettes. It thrives in gritty, sharply drained soil and bright sun, making it a choice plant for rock gardens and troughs. Seldom offered, it rewards with drought tolerance and pollinator-friendly blooms.

Common Names

HawkweedGlandular HawkweedAethiadenium Hawkweed

Context

nativeRegion

Europe; typically in rocky alpine to subalpine grasslands and open, stony slopes.

usdaZones

4–7 (approximate; depends on provenance and drainage).

companionPlants

Saxifraga, Thymus (creeping thyme), Sedum, Dianthus, Campanula, Arenaria, Draba

culturalUses

Valued for rock gardens and troughs; supports bees and hoverflies with nectar-rich blooms.

Care

Care Requirements

LightFull sun; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates.

WateringLow to moderate. Let the top 2–3 cm of soil dry between waterings; drought-tolerant once established.

SoilVery well-drained, gritty mix or sandy/rocky loam; neutral to slightly alkaline. Add gravel for drainage.

FertilizerLight feeder. Top-dress with compost or use a low‑nitrogen alpine fertilizer once in spring.

HumidityLow to average humidity; ensure good air circulation to avoid mildew.

TemperatureHardy roughly to USDA 4 with excellent winter drainage; prefers cool to mild summers.

Growth & Life Cycle

HabitPerennial herb forming a basal rosette with wiry, upright flowering stems.

Mature Size10–25 cm tall in bloom, 15–25 cm wide.

Growth RateModerate growth in lean, free-draining soils and full sun.

BloomingLate spring to summer; bright yellow composite flower heads.

DormancyWinter dormant to semi-evergreen depending on climate.

Propagation

MethodsDivision of basal rosettes, Seed (surface-sown; light aids germination), Root cuttings

DifficultyModerate

Best SeasonSpring or early autumn for division; late winter to early spring for seed.

Maintenance & Notes

PruningDeadhead to reduce self-seeding and prolong bloom; remove spent stalks after flowering.

RepottingFor container plants, refresh gritty mix and divide or up-pot every 2–3 years in spring.

Pests & DiseasesGenerally resilient; watch for aphids on buds, slugs/snails on young rosettes, crown rot in wet soils, and occasional powdery mildew in stagnant humidity.

ToxicityNot known as highly toxic, but milky sap may irritate sensitive skin; wear gloves when handling.

Recent Public Plants

No public plants yet.