ANAPHALIS (Anaph'alis)

DESCRIPTION: Anaphalis, Pearly Everlasting, is a group of pretty perennials that produce flowers that may be dried. A. margaritacea is a bushy, clump-forming plant with thin, lance-shaped, silver or gray-green leaves edged with white. It grows from 24 to 30 inches high and 24 inches wide. The tiny, white flowers have papery petals and they grow in clustered heads atop erect stems, in late summer. This plant is found on dry, rocky soil of North America, northeast Asia, and north and central Europe. A. triplinervis variety intermedia grows from 8 to 12 inches high and spreads up to 12 inches. This plant has lanceolate, silvery gray-green leaves that are covered with thick fuzz. The tiny, white flowers have papery petals and are produced in compact clusters in late summer and early fall. This plant grows wild in the Himalayas. A. nepalensis variety monocephala forms compact tufts of lance-shaped, hairy, silver- or gray-green leaves. The tiny, white flowers also have papery petals and are produced in terminal, clusters in late summer. This, too, is found in the Himalayas.

POTTING: These plants can be grown in any moderately fertile, well-drained soil that isn't too dry. Set them in a sunny position.

PROPAGATION: Increase your plants by division in early spring or late winter, or by sowing seeds in sandy soil in the fall.

VARIETIES: A. yedoensis; A. triplinervis & variety intermedia; A. margaritacea; A. nepalensis & variety monocephala; A. nubigena.

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