£
For sales and advice call 01205 281 902 Show prices with
Look out for the 100% Native Guarantee icon for products with only UK native wildflowers

Autumn Hawkbit Plug Plants (Leontodon autumnalis)

A perennial Wildflower plug plant with dandelion-like flowers and seed heads. A good showy meadow subject. The seeds are a magnet for Finches.

  • Height: 15 - 50cm
  • Flowers: July - September
  • Soil Requirement: Moist
  • Light Requirement: Full sun and partial shade 
Choose a packsize:
Why Plug Plants

Why Wildflower Plug Plants

Wildflower plug plants are an excellent way to add impact and biodiversity to your garden. These young plants are grown in small cells and come with a fully developed root system, ready to establish quickly once planted.

Plug plants are a great choice for filling gaps, boosting diversity, or getting results a little faster. With the right care, plugs will flourish and naturalise, becoming a long-term feature of your garden or meadow.

  • Healthy root systems – Plugs may look small or even a little tired on top, but their strong, well-developed roots are what matter most. Healthy roots allow them to settle quickly and thrive.
  • Great for biodiversity – Planting a variety of plugs helps create a balanced habitat that attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
  • Easy to plant and establish – Their developed roots make them resilient and easy to handle, even in tricky soils.
  • A complement to seeds – Use plugs alongside seed mixes to fill gaps, create patterns, or introduce species that are harder to grow from seed.
  • Flexible planting – Perfect for borders, containers, or meadows of any size.

The Importance of Roots
When planting wildflower plugs, it’s important to remember that what’s below the soil matters most. Even if the top growth looks small, pale, or dormant, the plug’s root system holds the plant’s energy and potential. Strong, white roots are a sign of health and will fuel growth once the plant settles in its new home.
Because the roots are already developed, plugs have a head start, helping them establish quickly, withstand competition, and flourish in a range of conditions.

Explore our wildflower plug plants, from annuals to perennials, including bee-friendly varieties and curated collections.

Planting & Care

When to Plant Wildflower Plug Plants
You can plant wildflower plug plants throughout most of the year, as long as the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged. Spring and autumn are ideal times, giving the plants mild conditions to settle and establish before extremes of weather.

How to Plant Wildflower Plug Plants: Step-by-Step

  1. Prepare the site
    Remove weeds and grass where you’ll be planting. Wildflowers prefer low-fertility soil, so there’s no need for fertiliser.
  2. Check the plugs
    Some plug plants may have minimal top growth or appear dormant at certain times of year. Don’t worry – their root systems are the key. As long as the roots are healthy and white, the plant is alive and ready to thrive.
  3. Soak before planting
    Give your plug plants a thorough drink before you plant them. This helps reduce stress and encourages strong root establishment.
  4. Create holes
    Use a dibber, screwdriver, or trowel to make holes slightly deeper and wider than each plug’s rootball.
  5. Plant carefully
    Place each plug in its hole with the top of the rootball level with the soil surface. Firm the soil gently around it.
  6. Water well
    Water generously after planting to help the soil settle around the roots. Keep the soil damp for the first few weeks.

Caring for Plug Plants After Planting
Once established, wildflower plug plants need minimal care. Keep the area weed-free while they settle, water during dry spells, and allow flowers to set seed naturally. Over time, many wildflower species will spread, creating a self-sustaining display.

The Importance of Roots
When planting wildflower plugs, it’s important to remember that what’s below the soil matters most. Even if the top growth looks small, pale, or dormant, the plug’s root system holds the plant’s energy and potential. Strong, white roots are a sign of health and will fuel growth once the plant settles in its new home.
Because the roots are already developed, plugs have a head start, helping them establish quickly, withstand competition, and flourish in a range of conditions.

Explore our wildflower plug plants, from annuals to perennials, including bee-friendly varieties and curated collections.

FAQs

What are Autumn Hawkbit plug plants?

 

Autumn Hawkbit plug plants are young Leontodon autumnalis plants grown in small cells with developed root systems, ready for planting into suitable ground. This native wildflower is known for its bright yellow, dandelion-like flowers and airy seed heads, making it a useful addition to meadow planting, wildlife areas, and naturalistic schemes. Supplied as plugs, the plants establish more quickly and reliably than starting from seed alone.

 

What is Leontodon autumnalis?


Leontodon autumnalis is the botanical name for Autumn Hawkbit, a native perennial wildflower found in grassland and meadow habitats. It produces cheerful yellow flowers later in the season and is often valued for bringing colour into planting schemes from mid to late summer. Its natural character makes it especially suited to meadow-style planting and projects focused on native species.

 

Where should I plant Autumn Hawkbit plug plants?


Autumn Hawkbit plug plants are best planted in open areas with sun or partial shade, where the soil remains reasonably moist. They are well suited to wildflower meadows, rough grassland, wildlife-friendly garden areas, and naturalistic borders. Choosing an appropriate site will help the plants settle in well and perform more strongly over time.

 

How do I plant Leontodon autumnalis plug plants?


Plant each plug into prepared soil by making a hole slightly larger than the root ball, then firm the soil gently around the plant and water after planting. If the surrounding area is dense with existing grass or competitive weeds, it helps to clear some space first so the young plants can establish properly. With the right care in the early stages, the plants can naturalise and become part of a longer-term planting scheme.

 

When do Autumn Hawkbit wildflower plants flower?


Autumn Hawkbit wildflower plants usually flower from July to September, bringing late-season colour to meadow and grassland settings. This makes them particularly useful in planting schemes where a longer flowering window is needed. Their yellow flowers can also help maintain visual interest after some earlier wildflower species have finished blooming.

 

What conditions do Autumn Hawkbit plants prefer?


Autumn Hawkbit plants are suited to moist soil and can grow in full sun or partial shade. They are often used in meadow-style planting where the ground is not too dry and where native perennial species are encouraged to naturalise. Matching the plant to the right site conditions gives it the best chance to thrive and return well.

 

Are Autumn Hawkbit wildflower plug plants good for wildlife?


Yes. Autumn Hawkbit wildflower plug plants can support wildlife by contributing flowers for pollinators and seed heads that are attractive to birds, including finches. Including native species such as this in meadow and grassland planting can help build a more varied and useful habitat. A good mix of native flowers through the season is especially valuable for biodiversity.

 

Why choose plug plants instead of growing Autumn Hawkbit from seed?


Plug plants provide a faster and more controlled way to establish Autumn Hawkbit in a specific area. Because the plants already have developed roots, they are easier to place accurately and often cope better in the early stages than direct-sown seed. This can be especially helpful when filling gaps in an existing meadow or adding particular native species to a designed planting mix.

 

How quickly will Leontodon autumnalis plug plants establish?


With suitable moisture, good soil preparation, and reasonable aftercare, Leontodon autumnalis plug plants usually establish within a few weeks of planting. Once rooted in, they begin developing into sturdy plants that can return each year in the right conditions. Early watering and reduced competition around the plugs will help them settle more successfully.

Delivery Information

We’re proud to offer fast and reliable delivery. In fact, most of our items are available for next working day delivery. Please check the delivery label on each product page for specific delivery timeframes.

 

For Items Marked as Next Day Delivery:

  • Orders placed before 2pm (Mon–Fri) will be dispatched the same working day with delivery the next working day
  • Orders placed after 2pm are dispatched the next working day
  • Orders placed after 2pm Friday are dispatched on Monday for Tuesday delivery (excluding Bank Holidays)

 

Delivery Combinations

If your order contains a combination of next day and non-next day products, please note only the products marked next day will be delivered next day. The remainder of your order will be delivered within the timescales indicated.

 

Delivery Charges:

Service Price
UK inc. Islands & Channel Islands up to 1kg (seed only) £3.50
UK Mainland Delivery (NEXT DAY where shown) £4.99
Saturday (England & Wales) up to 30kg £15.00

Buy With Confidence