The unusual woolly Edelweiss Flower may originate in the chilly Alps but it can be grown easily if you create the right conditions. Fortunately, this is fairly easy to do and gardeners can expect to see these pretty flowers with their white furry coats and leaves within two years of planting.
We’re going to guide you through all the steps of growing and caring for Edelweiss flowers.
What Is The Edelweiss Flower?
The Edelweiss flower or (Leontopodium nivale) is a mountain flower in the daisy or sunflower family Asteraceae. The plant grows in rocky limestone places at an altitude of around 1,800-3,000 metres or 5,900-9,800 feet.
It is non-toxic and has been used in traditional medicine as a remedy against respiratory and abdominal ailments. Its leaves and flowers are covered with dense white hairs, which protect the plant from cold, aridity and bright ultraviolet sunlight.
The flower is quite scarce and only lives for a few years. It has been used as a symbol for alpinism and the craggy natural beauty of the peaks associated with the Alps and Carpathian mountains.
This flower is the national flower of Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Romania and Austria.
How To Grow An Edelweiss Flower
These pretty alpine plants are found in the Alps around Germany, Switzerland, Italy, France and Austria. In some countries they are even considered endangered.
They are best grown in a rock garden that mimics their natural alpine habitat with a high limestone content in the soil.
Grown in partial shade, these plants will develop beautiful woolly flowers surrounded by a circle of silvery white leaves, almost resembling a large snowflake. Edelweiss flowers are easy to grow from seed and quite hardy if grown in conditions that suit them.
When growing this flower, you must first begin with creating the proper soil and conditions required by the plant. As these flowers naturally occur in limestone mountains, these plants thrive in friable soil that is rich in limestone and slightly alkaline. Heavy and hard soils will damage the root system. Mix up the planting soil which combines one part lime with two parts sand as a base, then add some peat moss, weed free cow manure and a handful of lime.
Growing Edelweiss From Seed
Sow the seeds in late winter or early spring, before the last frost.
Seeds will germinate within 2-3 weeks. Cover the plants with a few inches of mulch in autumn.
The plant will not flower in its first year of growth but you can expect it to flower in June and July of the second year’s growth.
When To Plant Edelweiss Flower
Late winter or early spring is the best time to plant Edelweiss flowers.
This plant has a strong and fibrous root system. The roots will spread and anchor the plant. As a result, the flowers are slow growing and never get taller than about 12 inches.
The plant withstands cold temperatures and winds.
The Edelweiss flower prefers full sunlight but as it thrives with a little dappled shade, plant some taller plants in your rock garden around it. Your plant will thrive in these conditions.
Watering your Edelweiss
The Edelweiss flower needs thorough and regular watering. If you follow the soil mixture requirements above, then it will have good drainage. A pH neutral or slightly alkaline soil is best.
It’s best to plant seedlings in early spring. But remember the plant is an alpine species so it won’t tolerate dry and hot summers. Edelweiss will not grow in hot and humid tropical areas.
Where To Plant Edelweiss Flowers
If your Edelweiss is already mature (2-3 years), dig the plants up from its roots and you can separate the plants. Then you can replant the new flowers and spread your Edelweiss.
If you are starting out and choose to begin your planting indoors when there are still four weeks left of winter. Once all frosts are over, then plant them out into the garden.
Caring for your Edelweiss Flower
As they naturally occur in a harsh environment, Edelweiss flowers prefer areas with cold temperatures and poor soil.
- Light
Edelweiss flowers enjoy the sunshine and are best grown under taller plants which provide them with some shade.
- Temperature And Humidity
Edelweiss plants can withstand low temperatures and cold winds as their woolly leaves protect them from rain and wind.
- Feeding Your Edelweiss
Edelweiss flowers don’t require much feeding as they don’t get it where they occur naturally.
- Overwintering
As you’ve probably guessed, Edelweiss flowers are not averse to a blanket of snow. Let the snow water them in winter. If there is not a lot of snow in the winter, then mulch around them. In spring move the mulch aside to let new growth through.
How to Get Edelweiss to Bloom
The bright white petals are actually a leaf. It is the yellow centres which are the actual flowers. Flowers appear in their second year of growth.
If you want to extend your Edelweiss’ life, then divide them and replant them to get more flowers. You don’t need to deadhead them, but it does prevent them from self-seeding, if that’s what you want.
Common Problems With Edelweiss
Pests are not partial to Edelweiss flowers but they can suffer from crown rot.
So, what do you do if you spot discolouration on the crown and wilting leaves?
Unfortunately, there is no easy solution. You could try applying a fungicide to control the disease. To prevent the spread of crown rot, remove the diseased plant with all fallen leaves. Clean around the area thoroughly.
Prevention is always better than cure so water plants in the early morning to allow the plants to dry during the day and check the drainage.
What Is The Meaning Of The Edelweiss Flower?
The flower signifies devotion and love. In days gone by, men used to pick the flowers during hikes in the Alps to show their love for and devotion to a sweetheart.
It has a short life span and grows in remote places in the Alps, hence its symbolism of the devotion needed to find and harvest the flower. Additionally, the flower symbolises the adventure and great effort it takes to find and pick the flower.
FAQs About Edelweiss
What Does Edelweiss Symbolise?
Edelweiss means “noble” and “white” in German. It symbolises purity and the nobleness of the Alps.
How Long Does It Take To Grow Edelweiss?
Edelweiss seeds germinate within 2-6 weeks. They are slow growers and will flower during the second year of growth.
How To Plant Edelweiss
Edelweiss plants are not tender plants like herbs. You can buy mature plants or start seeds indoors at least six weeks before the expected date of the last frost.
Sow the seed on the soil’s surface and mist lightly. Keep the soil damp until germination. The seedlings can then be moved to a sunny windowsill.
Let the seedlings harden off, then plant them into a prepared garden bed in either a rock garden or a sunny spot.
Remember the most important aspect of growing Edelweiss flowers successfully is getting the soil requirements right. Good drainage, a mixture of sand, peat moss, a handful of lime and a little manure would be a good start.
You can add all the above to the existing soil in your garden where you are planning to grow Edelweiss. Never over water Edelweiss and you can even suspend watering in winter.
Where Do Edelweiss Flowers Grow Best?
As these are hardy alpine flowers used to scouring winds and sunny arid conditions, it grows best in sunny spots with good drainage in soil which has a high limestone content.
So if you want to add some bright white alpine flowers to your garden, do consider growing this unusual flower.
It has known anti-ageing properties with many other medicinal and beauty benefits.
This tiny little flower has been shown to have strong multitasking benefits for the skin. It contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that can help smooth the appearance of wrinkles, improve elasticity AND help protect the skin from UVB rays.
That’s one hard-working little flower!