Leontopodium alpinum Edelweiss

USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–7

Light: Full sun

Mature Size: 6–12" tall | 6–9" wide

Attracts: Pollinators

Bloom Time: July–September

Water Needs: Moderate

Soil: Sandy to gritty, sharply drained soils with neutral to alkaline pH

Growth Habit: Clump-forming, slowly spreading alpine perennial

Flowers: Soft yellow centers surrounded by iconic fuzzy white bracts that create a star-like appearance

Ideal For: Alpine gardens, rock gardens, crevice plantings, cool-climate landscapes

Evergreen: Semi-evergreen in mild climates

Why We Love It:
Edelweiss carries a timeless alpine beauty that instantly evokes high mountain landscapes. Its woolly silver foliage and distinctive star-shaped blooms add texture unlike almost anything else in the garden. Perfectly suited to cool climates and sharply drained soils, it thrives tucked among rocks and gravel where its unique form can be appreciated up close. This is one of those plants that brings authenticity and character to alpine and crevice gardens.

Additional Info:
Native to the mountains of southern Europe and best suited to regions with cool summers and excellent drainage. Performs poorly in hot, humid climates or soils that remain wet for long periods. Best grown in sandy, gritty soils with neutral to slightly alkaline conditions. Though somewhat short-lived in warm regions, it can persist for years in properly drained alpine settings.

Photo Credit: Panayoti Kelaidis