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Alpine RockeryHerbaceous PerennialSynonym

Leontopodium alpinum

edelweiss

L. nivale subsp. alpinum is a perennial to 20cm in height, with narrow, grey-green leaves and starry white-felted flowering heads in late spring and early summer

Other common names
alpine snow flower
lady's mantle
Synonyms
Leontopodium alpinum
Gnaphalium leontopodium
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0–0.1 metre
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Yellow White Green Grey Silver
Summer Yellow White Green Grey Silver
Autumn Green Grey Silver
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or North–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to the UK
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

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