Leontopodium alpinum Blossom of Snow - Edelweiss

Leontopodium nivale subsp. alpinum Blossom of Snow is a beautiful new variety, distinguished from the wild edelweiss by its longer stems and its larger and more numerous flowers. It is an iconic alpine perennial that offers two flowering periods per year: once in early summer and a second time in early autumn. Its star-shaped flowers are fluffy white. Its silver-green lanceolate evergreen foliage is also covered with protective woolly down. This plant is a gem for rock gardens, in cool and mountainous climates. It also adapts to lowlands, in cool climates, in well-drained rock gardens or even in pots. It is an excellent cut flower and lasts for a long time in bouquets.

Native to the Alps where it has become a symbol, edelweiss is a small perennial plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. In 1963, it was brought into the spotlight when a song was dedicated to it in the movie The Sound of Music: the public's enthusiasm for this little flower was such that it became a victim of its success. Saved from extinction, it is now rare and protected in its natural habitat. Blossom of Snow is the result of many years of research by the Belgian breeder Herman Berghman: he wanted to create an edelweiss with longer stems, better suited for use in bouquets. Mission accomplished! Blossom of Snow was nominated in 2017 for the prestigious Plant of the Year award at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

It forms a round cushion-like tuft, adorned with evergreen foliage, reaching 40cm (16in) in height and 60cm (24in) in width. In order to protect itself from ultraviolet rays, which are intense at high altitudes, as well as from the cold, this plant is covered with woolly down that not only covers its linear leaves, but also the leaflets that surround a heart composed of tiny yellowish flower heads. The foliage is often deciduous in the mountains and semi-evergreen to evergreen in mild climates. Flowering takes place from May to June, and then again in early autumn if faded flowers are cut. Adorned with silver, Blossom of Snow offers an unforgettable spectacle and promises happiness and prosperity. The flower is primarily pollinated by flies, as its nectar is rich in amino acids essential for their metabolism. Fresh seeds germinate easily in favourable climates and soils.

To successfully cultivate Blossom of Snow, one should mimic nature: this plant thrives in well-drained rock gardens, in cool climates, in rather limestone soil, in full sun or partial shade. Very hardy, it can be paired with other mountain plants, such as Campanula portenschlagiana, Aethionema x 'Warley Ruber', Azorella trifurcata, Cyclamen coum, Globularia cordifolia, and perennial Geranium cinereum. Ideal in bouquets paired with blue flowers such as lavender.

Properties:

Edelweiss is used in traditional medicine to relieve abdominal pain, angina, bronchitis, diarrhoea, or dysentery. The cosmetic industry uses it for its powerful antioxidant properties.