Leontopodium nivale subsp. alpinum

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edelweiss

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Other common names

alpine snow flower, lady's mantle

Synonyms

Leontopodium alpinum
Gnaphalium leontopodium

Alpine Rockery Herbaceous Perennial
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A perennial to 20cm in height, with narrow, grey-green leaves and starry white-felted flowering heads in late spring and early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0-0.1 metre

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0-0.1 metre
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus
Leontopodium are herbaceous perennials with simple leaves and terminal clusters of small yellowish flower-heads surrounded by showy, white-felted leaf-like bracts
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
SE & SC Europe (Mts)

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained soil in a sheltered position in full sun. Suitable for rock garden, raised bed, or alpine house. Protect from winter wet

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Garden edging

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free