Pilosella officinarum seeds - Mouse-ear Hawkweed

Pilosella officinarum, commonly known as mouse-ear hawkweed, is an ornamental and useful perennial spreading plant. It is appreciated for its ability to form a dense carpet of silvery, evergreen leaves, and its long summer flowering in yellow. Its great drought resistance and adaptation to poor soils will be used to vegetate dry and rocky spaces. Used as ground cover, it prevents the proliferation of weeds and requires very little maintenance. It can be sown directly in place on a well-prepared and drained soil.

Hieracium pilosella, also known as Pilosella officinarum, belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is a wild plant native to Western Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. It is naturally found in dry heathlands, rocky areas, and clearings. This spreading perennial plant reaches a height of 10 to 15 cm and spreads over more than 50 cm thanks to its stolons. Its evergreen, oblong leaves covered with silky silver hairs form rosettes close to the ground. Flowering extends from May to September with lemon yellow flowers in 2 to 3 cm diameter heads, reminiscent of dandelions. These flowers are followed by the formation of seeds equipped with silky wing-like structures that are dispersed by the wind. The hawkweed releases allelopathic substances into the soil that inhibit the growth of competing plants, a quality that makes it an excellent ally against weeds.

Hawkweed is ideal as ground cover in rocky areas, on dry slopes, or in paving joints. It grows well in hard-to-maintain garden spots and integrates well in a dry garden. It can be associated with plants like Phyla nodiflora, Achillea crithmifolia, Sedum acre 'Yellow Queen', and Thymus serpyllum, all suited to the same growing conditions: well-drained dry soils and a sunny exposure. These combinations create a diverse and resilient collection, perfect for ground cover while requiring very little watering.