Three or four woody-based evergreen perennials from New Zealand. They have excellent silver foliage. Known in New Zealand as Edelweiss due to the striking resemblance of their flowerheads to those of the genus Leontopodium. These 'flannel flowers' consist of clusters of tiny, tubular hermaphrodite florets surrounded by large woolly bracts.

Uses

All make excellent specimen plants for raised beds, troughs and other choice spots. They require excellent drainage. Indifferent to lime but grow best in a humus-rich, gritty soil. Good both in sun and shade. Propagation easiest from late summer cuttings, L. grandiceps being easier than L. leontopodium. Seed must be fresh and germination is generally poor.