Leontopodium

The genus Edelweiss (Leontopodium) includes 20 species of herbaceous perennial resistant plants, of which only a few are used as ornamental plants. Alpine edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) is the most well-known species. It is found in high-altitude (above 1700 m above sea level) rocky stony places, where it forms small bushes with a diameter of up to 20 cm. This is a low plant, no more than 15 cm, with rosette lanceolate dark brown-green leaves, pubescent on the underside, and unusual head inflorescences. The inflorescences consist of small white flowers and surrounding pubescent bracts and look very attractive. Snow edelweiss (L. nivale) is a species very similar to Alpine edelweiss, but even shorter. Siberian edelweiss (L. sibiricum) up to 20 cm tall is also similar to Alpine edelweiss, but its flowers are larger.

The genus Edelweiss (Leontopodium) includes 20 species of herbaceous perennial resistant plants, of which only a few are used as ornamental plants.

Alpine edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum) is the most well-known species. It is found in high-altitude (above 1700 m above sea level) rocky stony places, where it forms small bushes with a diameter of up to 20 cm. This is a low plant, no more than 15 cm, with rosette lanceolate dark brown-green leaves, pubescent on the underside, and unusual head inflorescences. The inflorescences consist of small white flowers and surrounding pubescent bracts and look very attractive.

Snow edelweiss (L. nivale) is a species very similar to Alpine edelweiss, but even shorter.

Siberian edelweiss (L. sibiricum) up to 20 cm tall is also similar to Alpine edelweiss, but its flowers are larger.

Cultivation

Edelweiss is grown in rock gardens, where climatic conditions allow it. They are planted in the ground in March-April in calcareous soil at a distance of 20 cm from each other. It is recommended to apply organic fertilizers at the rate of 3-4 kg/m2. Blooms in July-August.

Edelweiss is grown in rock gardens, where climatic conditions allow it. They are planted in the ground in March-April in calcareous soil at a distance of 20 cm from each other. It is recommended to apply organic fertilizers at the rate of 3-4 kg/m2. Blooms in July-August.

Location

Requires a place in the open sun.

Temperature

Typical representatives of the highlands; tolerate low and not too high air temperature. In general, the plant is hardy.

Watering

Water regularly, but without stagnation of water in the soil.

Care

Remove damaged and wilted leaves and flowers.

Reproduction

Propagate by sowing seeds at the end of winter in boxes or bowls, using a well-drained substrate consisting of 2/3 of the earth and 1/3 of sand; to make drainage better, add a little pebbles. After a year, the plants are planted in a permanent place on stony areas.

Propagate by sowing seeds at the end of winter in boxes or bowls, using a well-drained substrate consisting of 2/3 of the earth and 1/3 of sand; to make drainage better, add a little pebbles. After a year, the plants are planted in a permanent place on stony areas.

Diseases

Root rotting easily begins, if excess moisture does not leave the ground. This phenomenon can be prevented by using suitable soil and monitoring irrigation. Aphid infestation is possible, causing yellowing and drying of plants. They get rid of them with the help of drugs against this insect.

Acquisition

Seeds are purchased in specialized companies engaged in retail trade. It is not very easy to find them. We recommend ordering them in advance. Often they are sold in pots. Plants should be compact and free from signs of decay.

Not only in the Alps Edelweiss is common not only in the Alps, but also in other European mountain regions, as well as in Asia from the Urals (this is where they come from) to the Far East, including Japan. But their use is not limited in high-altitude gardens, because in a different climate from high-altitude ones, they lose their attractiveness, as the amount of white hair covering them decreases. Pubescence limits excessive transpiration, and therefore eliminates the risk of frostbite at low temperatures. Therefore, the higher the temperature, the less pubescence. For many years, wild Edelweiss trees were the object of unlimited and reckless collection (when collecting flowers, the whole plant was often torn out), which reduced their number. Today, their collection, along with other wild mountain species, is generally prohibited or at least restricted.

Not only in the Alps

Edelweiss is common not only in the Alps, but also in other European mountain regions, as well as in Asia from the Urals (this is where they come from) to the Far East, including Japan. But their use is not limited in high-altitude gardens, because in a different climate from high-altitude ones, they lose their attractiveness, as the amount of white hair covering them decreases. Pubescence limits excessive transpiration, and therefore eliminates the risk of frostbite at low temperatures. Therefore, the higher the temperature, the less pubescence.

For many years, wild Edelweiss trees were the object of unlimited and reckless collection (when collecting flowers, the whole plant was often torn out), which reduced their number. Today, their collection, along with other wild mountain species, is generally prohibited or at least restricted.