How to Grow Crepis Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Hawksbeard and Dandelion

Members of the Crepis family are hardy dandelions that have been bred for gardens; they have flowers of orange, white, pink or red.

Crepis can reach heights of between 30 and 45 cm, and flower in the second half of the summer.

Common names for members of the Crepis genus include Dandelion and Hawksbeard (Hawk's beard).

Crepis capillaris
Crepis capillaris - Smooth Hawksbeard by Pellaea.

Crepis acuminata
Crepis acuminata - Tapertip hawksbeard by Matt Lavin.

Crepis Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Hawksbeard, Smooth Hawksbeard, Tapertip Hawksbeard.
Family: Asteraceae.
Life Cycle: Hardy annual. Hardy biennial. Hardy perennial.
Height: 12 to 28 inches (30 to 70 cm).
Native: North America, Europe, Asia, Northern and tropical Africa.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 9.
Flowers: Late spring to early autumn.
Flower Details: Yellow, red, pink, orange, white. Often Dandelion-like, but with many flowers per inflorescence.
Foliage: Grey-green. Pointed lobes. Lanceolate.

Sow Outside: Cover seeds. Before last frost. Annuals can also be sown in the autumn in mild areas. Spacing: 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm).
Sow Inside: Germination time: five days to two weeks. Temperature 75°F (24°C). Seven or eight weeks in advance. Transplant outdoors following the last frost.
Requirements: Full sunlight. Good drainage. Propagate: root cuttings; late winter.

How to Grow Dandelion, Hawksbeard, and other Crepis Plants

Depending on whether they are annuals or perennials Crepis should be sown in the autumn (annuals) or before the last frost of spring (perennials); simply cover the seeds with a dusting of topsoil when sown.

Crepis prefer to grow in a sunny part of the garden that has good drainage.

If you prefer to grow seedlings indoors first, then they should be started off about 7 or 8 weeks before you put them out into the garden, after the last frost of spring; they should be spaced at about 10 to 15 cm apart.

Caring for Crepis

Crepis normally take about one to two weeks to germinate at a temperature of 20 to 25 degrees centigrade.

They are very easy to look after, if you deadhead the flowers then they will continually produce more flowers.

Common Questions

How many members does the Crepis genus have?

The Crepis genus consists of about 200 species.

Do members of Crepis make a good garden or landscaping plant?

While some gardeners enjoy the hardiness and yellow flowers of Crepis, others might consider them a weed due to their invasive nature.

Which Crepis species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Crepis capillaris, or Smooth Hawksbeard, is sometimes cultivated for its attractive, daisy-like flowers.

Are members of the Crepis plant genus fragrant?

Crepis species are not particularly known for having a fragrance.

What is the perfect location to grow Crepis?

Crepis can grow in a variety of locations but prefers full sun and well-drained soils.

Is Crepis invasive in the USA?

Currently, several species of Crepis are considered invasive in various regions across the USA due to their quick spread.

How do I remove Crepis plants from my garden?

Crepis can be removed by regularly pulling up the plants and ensuring all root fragments are removed to prevent regrowth.

Summary

The Crepis genus, part of the Asteraceae family, is native to the Northern Hemisphere. Also known as hawksbeard, these annual or perennial plants are known for their rosette of leaves and dandelion-like flowers in yellow or white that bloom in summer.

To grow Crepis, plant them in a sunny location with well-drained soil. They can be grown from seeds sown in spring or autumn. Regular watering is necessary, but they are quite drought-tolerant once established. They are often used in wildflower gardens, meadows, or as cut flowers for their vibrant, showy blooms.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Crepis plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ Asteraceae growing guides: How to grow Everlasting and Ajania pacifica plants.