Pearly Everlasting
Herbaceous perennial growing 30-90 cm tall with woolly, gray-green leaves. Produces clusters of small, papery white flowers with yellow centers from mid-summer to early fall. Prefers well-drained, poor to average soils and full sun. Drought-tolerant once established. Attractive to butterflies and valuable as a nectar source. Used in dried flower arrangements and as a garden cut flower. Suitable for rock gardens, meadows, and xeriscaping. Spreads by rhizomes and self-seeding.
Plant Details
Bloom Colour: White
Bloom Time: Mid to Late-Summer
Sun Requirements: Sun
Moisture: Dry to Moist-Drained
Phenology: New growth appears in May. Leaves fully developed by June. Blooming begins July, continuing through August. Papery white bracts persist through winter. Seeds disperse September-October. Dead stems provide winter interest.
Wildlife Value: Attracts numerous beneficial insects; seeds eaten by songbirds; larval host for American Lady butterfly; deer resistant
Habit Over Time: Forms loose colonies of upright silvery stems that slowly expand through both short rhizomes and self-seeding. The plant creates a semi-transparent presence in the garden, with enough space between stems to allow other plants to grow through and around it. While it will gradually spread to form larger patches, it's easy to edit and control. Its airy nature means it can weave through a planting without dominating, though in poor soils it may spread more enthusiastically. The silvery foliage creates a subtle matrix that can unite other plants in the composition.
Height: Medium (1-3 feet)