Leontopodium alpinum ( Edelweiss ) is a famous symbol and flower that is native to the Alps and Carpathians mountain ranges in Europe. Edelweiss is short lived, cold tolerant and is widely associated with purity. Commonly used as a symbol in the military, sporting clubs and entire nations as well as inspiring songs such as the one titled ‘Edelweiss’ in The Sound of Music. In folklore, giving the flower to a loved one is a promise of dedication.
Suitable for Cold, Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.
There is even a famous song named after the flower that was part of The Sound of Music.
It is also found under the botanical name, Leontopodium nivale.
Growth
Leontopodium alpinum is mountain flower that reaches the short height of around 20 cm (8 inches) in the wild and up to 40 cm (16 inches) in cultivation. Being native to Swiss mountain ranges, Edelweiss is usually short-lived given only the time afforded during the peak of summer. In cultivation, there is often longer time to develop and grow during the warmer months and in some warmer climates will do well during winter.
The flower is technically not a flower but a bloom consisting of 50 to 500 tiny little flowers that form into a double-star formation. Over time the plant spreads via rhizomes to from colonies. They sit underground during the long winters of the mountainous ranges they are found. Then grow again quickly during the short spell of warm weather. White velvet-like leaves surround the flower bracts and with small dense hairs help to protect the plant from the extreme cold atop a Swiss mountain.
FAMILY:
Asteraceae
CLIMATE:
Cold, Temperate, Sub-Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10°C to 25°C / 50 to 77°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well draining.
LOCATION:
Full Sun – Part Shade.
HEIGHT:
Up to 25 cm (10 inches)
WIDTH:
Up to 5 cm (2 inches)
pH:
6.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low.
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by Bees and Insects.
MATURITY:
90-120 days
GERMINATION RATES:
65-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
3-4 weeks germination
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 1000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes.
WEED POTENTIAL:
No.
EDIBLE:
No.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 2 years.
FACTS ABOUT LEONTOPODIUM ALPINUM (Edelweiss)
Traditional medicine includes the flowers as a remedy against respiratory diseases.
The Edelweiss flower is a symbol in many of the eastern European countries that have them growing during the summer. As a symbol, it’s form has been used on coins, notes, military badges, ranks and awards, national coats of arms and as well as local clubs and organizations around the world. Still today, it remains the insignia adopted by the Austrian, French and German alpine troops.
