Anaphalis margaritacea
Pearly Everlasting is a lovely, white-flowering perennial that attracts pollinators and butterflies. Its fuzzy, silvery foliage emerges each spring and flaunts abundant blooms from early summer into fall, making it an important late season pollinator plant. The stems and flowers hold up nicely throughout the season and can be used in dried floral arrangements or to simply add structure and beauty to your garden.
- Plant type/canopy layer: deciduous, perennial herbaceous plant
- Size at maturity: 1-3' tall, 18-24" wide
- Light requirements: full to part sun
- Moisture requirements: moist to dry soil
- Bloom time: May - September
- Growth rate/ease: easy to grow, fast growing
- Wildlife support: attracts and provides nectar to adult butterflies, bees and other insect pollinators, attracts and supports beneficial and other pest eating insects, caterpillar host plant/larval food source. Specifically, it is the host plant and provides nectar for painted lady and skipper butterflies.
- Native habitat/range: Locally common in exposed habitat types including meadows, grassy hillsides, disturbed sites, beaches, clearcuts, streambanks, rock outcrops, forest openings, and roadsides, from sea level to 2500 meters, across most of the Pacific Northwest (not SW Oregon) south into northern Mexico, north to AK, east to SC, ME, and adjacent Canada. Portland Plant List - yes.
- Special features & uses: Medicinal. Excellent for pollinator gardens and erosion control.
Gardening with Pearly Everlasting: This is a carefree plant that grows effortlessly in most to full sun areas with good drainage. Though it prefers moist soil, it can tolerate drought once established and is perfectly happy with low-nutrients. It provides excellent erosion control, making it a perfect choice for bare areas that receive little human attention.
Photo Credit 1, 3: Nikkie West, Sparrowhawk Native Plants
Photo Credit 2: Tara Lemezis
Photo Credit 4: "Anaphalis margaritacea" by peupleloup is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0