Anaphalis margaritacea 'New Snow'

Anaphalis margaritacea 'New Snow': Pearly Everlastings on Silver Stems

Pearly white papery flowers on woolly silver stems, looking like they were made in a craft room and somehow came to life. 'New Snow' never melts. FRESH POWDER ALL SUMMER LONG.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Anaphalis margaritacea 'New Snow'
• Common Name: Pearly Everlasting
• Height: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Spread: 45 cm (18 in)
• Flowers: Dense clusters of small, papery, pearl-white flower heads with yellow centres
• Bloom Time: Midsummer to early fall (July to September)
• Foliage: Narrow, woolly, silver-grey leaves on upright stems
• Features: Excellent for cutting and drying

Where to Plant: Grow it in a sunny border, a meadow or prairie-style planting, a rock garden, or a dry slope where richer perennials struggle. Its silver foliage cools down hot colours nearby. Plant extra for cutting, since the stems make long-lasting dried arrangements and wreaths.

Companion Plants: Grow 'New Snow' in a sunny, dry bed with dark red and blue to set off its papery white flowers. Iris 'Dream Stuff' opens small white and yellow bearded iris at 25 cm in May and June. Salvia 'Bumblesky' adds sky blue spikes at 35 to 40 cm in June and July. Achillea 'Sassy Summer Sangria' brings dark red heads at 75 to 90 cm from June to August. Panicum virgatum rises behind at 90 to 150 cm in flower, a native switchgrass that turns yellow in fall.

Plant Care: Plant in full sun in well-drained, average to poor soil. Sandy or gravelly ground is ideal. Rich, wet soil can make it floppy and short-lived. Water regularly the first season, then let it fend for itself. It spreads slowly by underground stems to form a loose patch. Divide in spring if it wanders beyond its space. Cut the stems back in late fall, or leave them standing for winter interest and tidy up in early spring.

History: Pearly everlasting grows wild across much of North America, including Ontario and Quebec, as well as parts of northeast Asia, and its species name margaritacea comes from the Latin for pearl. 'New Snow', originally sold as 'Neuschnee', is a garden selection chosen for its compact habit and bright white flowers.

Final Thoughts: Cut it, dry it and keep it on the mantel for months. Deer pass, butterflies don't. THE ONLY SNOW YOU'LL EVER ASK FOR.