Crepis capillaris

RHS Plant Profile
smooth hawk's beard

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smooth hawk's beard RHS
smooth hawk's beard RHS
smooth hawk's beard RHS
smooth hawk's beard RHS

Other common names

smooth crepis, gwalchlys llyfn

Synonyms

Lapsana capillaris
Crepis virens
Crepis virens var. diffusa
Crepis diffusa

Annual Biennial Herbaceous Perennial

An annual or perennial native wildflower, sometimes regarded as a weed. It forms basal rosettes of toothed, lance-shaped leaves and bears loose, branched clusters of dandelion-like, bright yellow flower heads, each to approximately 1.5cm across, in summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Crepis can be annuals or perennials, with simple or pinnately lobed leaves and dandelion-like flower-heads that may be solitary or on open, branched stems
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in a well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free