Canada Hawkweed - Hieracium umbellatum

Hieracium umbellatum, also known as Canada, Rough, Northern, or Narrowleaf Hawkweed, is a perennial wildflower native to Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. When people think of hawkweeds, they tend to think of the several orange or yellow invasive weeds by that name, but there are a good half-dozen native hawkweeds in Michigan. This one is a native forest-dweller, and we have found it most often in forests that are predominantly pine with a rich duff layer over shallow bedrock, in dappled shade. However, various sources describe it in sandy or rocky part shade to full sun fields, shores, stabilized dunes, woods and woodland edges, roadsides and rock outcrops, in wet to dry well-drained soil.
 
Canada Hawkweed can get quite a bit taller than the invasive hawkweeds, but its height varies considerably from 1 to 4 feet depending on site conditions. It is fairly showy, with large yellow flowers about an inch wide and dandelion-shaped held aloft on unbranched stalks with attractive foliage. The plant has a long bloom time from early summer through fall. Canada Hawkweed supports a number of bees, moths, and other insects, which in turn support birds. Ground birds such as grouse are reported to eat the foliage and seeds. The foliage is also browsed by deer and rabbits. Mix it in with something less palatable, such as Bottlebrush Grass, to reduce browsing if needed.
 
As Yoopers, we often struggle to find plants that will tolerate dry, sandy or rocky conditions, especially in the shade and under pines. This plant fits the bill. Pair with Bigleaf Aster, Bottlebrush Grass, Bluestem or Hairy Goldenrods, and Calico or Northern Heartleaf Aster. Add Wild Columbine for early season color and pollinator support, and short forest plants such as Bunchberry, Bluebead Lily, Starflower, and Canada Mayflower for ground cover.