Leontopodium
( lee - on - toh - POH - dee - um )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus, commonly called Edelweiss, includes species that are low-mounding, flowering perennials that need full sun and regular water. The leaves, bracts and petals on these plants are all covered in fuzzy white wool. Blooms appear in early summertime. Edelweiss needs excellent drainage but otherwise is a relatively easy-care plant to have around the garden. It grows to about a foot tall and wide. Grow Edelweiss in rock or alpine gardens, in containers, or simply as specimen plants.
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Leontopodium species and varietals
The genus Leontopodium is a member of the plant family Asteraceae and includes around 60 distinct species. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Leontopodium coreanum (Korean Edelweiss) This species of Edelweiss is native to Korea and includes two subspecies: Leontopodium coreanum coreanum and Leontopodium coreanum hallanisanense. These plants produce small flowers surrounded by fuzzy light green to white bracts. |
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Leontopodium microphyllum (Taiwan Edelweiss, Small Leaf Edelweiss) This species is endemic to the mountains of Taiwan, and was first formally described by Japanese botanist Bunzo Hayata in 1908. These plants form low-growing herbaceous mounds of fuzzy light greenish-grey foliage and small yellow to green flowers. |
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Leontopodium nivale (Edelweiss) This species grows in mountains, and produces a plant that is covered with dense hairs. It is a scarce, short-lived flower, and is known for its rugged beauty. It is used as a symbol of alpine flora. Flowers are small, and surrounded by fuzzy white bracts in a double-star formation. Flowers bloom between July and September in the plant's native range. |
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Caring for Leontopodium
Plant Leontopodium in an area of the landscape that receives full sun. They flower best when they're getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day. In too much shade, they can get leggy and not flower as well. Ensure that soil is well-draining, moderately fertile, and has a pH of between 6.5 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Edelweiss plants grow well in rocky and sandy soils, and do well in rock garden environments. Add a thick layer of mulch to the planting area to suppress weed growth, increase soil moisture retention, and decrease soil temperature fluctuations.
Water newly planted Leontopodium regularly to help it develop a strong root system. During the first year the plant is in the ground, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. At maturity, these plants are drought-tolerant and do not need supplemental waterings. They are naturally found in quite harsh, arid conditions. What they cannot handle is soggy soil; they do much better with underwatering than overwatering. Do not fertilize these plants, as they do better in poor, rocky soils. They do not need to be pruned. To discourage reseeding, remove spent flowering heads after blooms fade.
Water newly planted Leontopodium regularly to help it develop a strong root system. During the first year the plant is in the ground, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch. At maturity, these plants are drought-tolerant and do not need supplemental waterings. They are naturally found in quite harsh, arid conditions. What they cannot handle is soggy soil; they do much better with underwatering than overwatering. Do not fertilize these plants, as they do better in poor, rocky soils. They do not need to be pruned. To discourage reseeding, remove spent flowering heads after blooms fade.
Propagation
Leontopodium can be propagated either by division or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Edelweiss plant, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Leontopodium by Seed
Propagating Leontopodium by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance, especially if they are grown in containers. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
Propagating Leontopodium by Seed
- Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
- Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
- In either late winter or early springtime, get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 4-8 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Propagating Leontopodium by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost and pots (12 inch pots will do, and these are only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance, especially if they are grown in containers. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
- Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the rhizome(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
- Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
- Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your rhizomes and water them in thoroughly.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.
Edelweiss seed heads are small.
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Leontopodium seeds are very tiny.
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Problems and Pests
Edelweiss plants are typically quite resistant to pest and disease issues in the landscape, though they can suffer from the following from time to time:
- Root Rot
- Aphids
Gallery
Edelweiss day is March 5. According to tradition, giving these flowers to loved ones is a promise of dedication.
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These interesting, fuzzy flowers are a popular symbol of alpine flora.
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These plants can be used as small-scale groundcover under trees.
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Rock gardens are great environments for Edelweiss plants.
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These perennials can be grown either in the ground or in containers.
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These flowers can increase biodiversity in the garden.
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Videos
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How to care for Edelweiss flowers.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 405, Leontopodium alpinum
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