Golden Hawk's-Beard Care
Crepis aurea
A mountain (alpine) plant that loves full sun and very well-drained, gravelly, poor soils. It is suitable for rock gardens and is susceptible to root rot in extremely hot and humid climates.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- General care: To prevent crown rot from winter rains, make sure the soil drains freely.
- Pests & diseases: Check for root/crown rot.
- Frost risk: Very frost-hardy.
- General care: Signs of waking may begin; keep the surroundings clean.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for snail and slug eggs on the soil surface.
- Frost risk: Very frost-hardy.
- Watering: As the soil dries out completely, 1-2 L/m².
- Fertilizing: Very dilute balanced NPK (e.g., 10-10-10) (liquid, half the recommended dose; do not overapply).
- Pruning: Remove only leaves that dried out in winter.
- General care: For propagation from seed, sowing indoors can be started.
- Pests & diseases: Control aphids on young shoots.
- Watering: As the soil dries, 2-3 L/m².
- Plant protection: If aphids are seen, use soapy water made with Aleppo soap or natural pyrethrin-based insecticides.
- General care: Clear weeds.
- Pests & diseases: Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
- Watering: 3-4 L/m² per week; let the soil dry out between waterings.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: Take care that the root collar does not stay wet.
- Pests & diseases: Check the leaves for signs of powdery mildew.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: The flowering period begins.
- Pests & diseases: Snails and slugs can damage fresh leaves and flowers.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: To collect seeds, let some flowers fade.
- Pests & diseases: In hot and dry weather, check the undersides of the leaves for spider mites.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water so that the soil is wetted to a depth of 10-15 cm from the surface.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: The plant gradually prepares to go dormant.
- Pests & diseases: Watch for signs of heat stress (leaf margin scorching).
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
- General care: You can sow the collected seeds or propagate by separating the plant at the roots.
- Pests & diseases: Check drainage against the risk of root rot.
- Watering: The rains are sufficient; 1-2 times a month if needed.
- Pruning: Remove yellowing and rotting leaves.
- General care: The plant enters winter dormancy. Keep the area clean to reduce disease risk.
- Pests & diseases: Rotting plant debris can be a shelter for pests; clear it away.
- General care: In regions with heavy winter rainfall, protect the plant's root (crown) area with gravel mulch to prevent rot.
- Pests & diseases: Monitor for soil pests.
- Frost risk: Very frost-hardy; no protection is needed.
- General care: The plant is in full dormancy. On wet and heavy soils, be careful of the risk of rot.
- Pests & diseases: The biggest risk in winter is root/crown rot.
- Frost risk: Very frost-hardy.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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