Edelweiss Seeds - Leontopodium alpinum

Edelweiss is an iconic alpine perennial. In spring or early summer, it displays star-shaped flower heads, made up of discreet creamy yellow flowers and fuzzy, silvery white bracts. Its dark green lanceolate foliage is also covered with a protective woolly down. A gem for rock gardens in cool, mountainous climates. Fairly easy to grow from seed in very well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.

Leontopodium alpinum or Edelweiss is a small perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It is native to the Alps, of which it has become the symbol. It forms small mounds of evergreen foliage, growing to about 15 to 20 cm in height for a spread of about 15 cm. To protect itself from ultraviolet rays, which are intense at high altitudes, but also from freezing temperatures, both foliage and flower bracts are covered with woolly hairs. The flowers are tiny and creamy yellow in colour. They are mainly pollinated by flies as the nectar is rich in essential amino acids.

Edelweiss a truly symbolic plant, offering an unforgettable display of soft, silvery-white blooms from May to July. It thrives in cool climates in perfectly drained, rocky, limestone soil, in full sun or part shade. It combines well with other mountain plants such as Campanula portenschlagiana, Aethionema x Warley Rose, Azorella trifurcata, Cyclamen coum, Globularia cordifolia and perennial Geranium cinereum.

Good to know: Edelweiss was traditionally used to soothe stomach pains, sore throats, bronchitis and diarrhoea or dysentery. Nowadays, it is used in cosmetics for its powerful antioxidant properties.