Leucogenes grandiceps
New Zealand edelweiss
A mat-forming perennial to around 15cms high, with a woody base and semi-upright stems wrapped in small, overlapping wedge-shaped leaves covered in soft, downy silver hairs. In early summer, produces small, flat yellow flower heads surrounded by woolly white bracts at the tips of the stems
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Neutral, AlkalineColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow White | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter | Green Grey Silver |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed Hardiness
H4Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Matforming, Spreading branched
- Genus
A genus of woody, evergreen perennials native to New Zealand with silvery-green fleshy foliage and small, tubular, white Edelweiss-like flowers with yellow centres
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- New Zealand (S.Island)
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in humus rich, moist but well-drained, gritty soil in full sun. Thrives in a cool, moist climate, dislikes summer heat and winter wet. Ideal for a trough or alpine house
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe, or by stem tip cuttings in late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Banks and slopes
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to red spider mite when grown under glass, and to slugs and snails when grown outdoors
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.