Leontopodium alpinum
Eidelweiss, Lion's foot
Also known as Gnaphalium leontopodium
- Height × spread
- 0.15m × 0.15m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Flowers
- Summer
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This has its own curious charm. The alpine expert, Walter Ingwersen, thinks the flowers look as though they were created from 'grey flannel' and I can think of no better description. A woolly little centre (the true flower) is surrounded by separated, flannel-like bracts, grey and rather woolly to the touch. The plant makes a small mound of little strappy, dark-green leaves. Edelweiss is very variable but, once seen, it is unmistakable.
- Flower colour
- Grey
- Foliage colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Fan
- Height
- 0.15m
- Spread
- 0.15m
- Season of interest
- Spring
- Flowers in
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Rock garden, Gravel garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil
- Hardiness
- Colder than -20C (RHS H7)
- Borders & containers
- Borders and containers
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.