Pearly everlastingis an underappreciated North American native herb that deserves to be planted more often in gardens and landscapes.
This easy-care perennial features lance-shape gray-green foliage that forms an attractive mound from spring all the way to autumn.
Its long-lasting white flowers dry well, making them perfect for crafts projects.
You should also consider pearly everlasting for your butterfly or pollinator garden.
Many species of pollinators love its flowers, and it acts as a host plant for painted lady butterflies.
Add pearly everlasting to your herb orcutting garden, too.
Its flowers last surprisingly long when cut for bouquets.
you might also use the dried flowers for decorative potpourri.
Lightly rake the planting site.
Sow the tiny seeds on the soil surface as they need light to germinate.
Keep them moist but not wet until seedlings emerge.
The plant grows relatively quickly and may flower in its first year in the garden.
Remove the plant and loosen the roots a bit from the root ball before placing in the hole.
Backfill with soil, tamp lightly, and water well.
Space multiple plants 18 to 24 inches apart to allow for adequate air circulation.
As aprairie native, it tolerates subzero temperatures in the winter without any special attention.
Fertilizer
Pearly everlasting thrives in most growing conditions and does not need fertilizing to flourish.
In fact, given its tendency to spread, feeding the plant is discouraged.
Pruning
A low-maintenance perennial, pearly everlasting doesn’t require much pruning.
Give it a trim in spring as new growth resumes.
Select a pot with large drainage holes and use well-draining potting soil.
Keep in mind that potted plants, unlike plants in the landscape, require more frequent watering and fertilization.
Repot the plant when it becomes rootbound.
Choose a container that’s one size larger and fill with fresh potting soil.
Remove the plant from its pot and tease the roots to loosen them.
Place in the new container, backfill with soil and tamp down.
Water well to remove any air pockets.
As a protective measure, winterize the pots by sinking the container into the ground.
Pests and Problems
Pearly everlasting does not suffer from significant pest and disease issues.
The herb may host butterfly larvae, so the plant is susceptible to chewing damage from hungry caterpillars.
Consider where you’ll plant it and what its care regimen will be before adding it to your yard.
How to Propagate Pearly Everlasting
Propagate this herb by seed, cuttings, or division.
Division is the easiest method of propagation.Divideevery 4 to 5 years in spring.
Water well after planting.
Togrow from cuttings: Fill a shallow tray with a lightly dampened sterile seed-starting mixture.
In spring, take basal cuttings.
In the early summer, take cuttings from stem tips.
Use sharp bypass pruners to cut 4-inch-long plant cuttings with at least two sets of leaf nodes.
Pinch off any flower buds and remove the lower leaves.
Plant the cut end of the stem in the pre-mixed seed-starter after dipping it in rooting hormone.
Place it in bright indirect light or under grow lights.
Rooting has succeeded when you see new growth.
When roots are strong, transplant them to planters filled with potting mix or outdoors.
To start seeds indoors, sow them 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date.
Fill pots with moistened potting mix and sow seeds on the surface of the soil.
Cover with pots with plastic to maintain humidity.
Keep the seeded pots warm (about 60 to 70 degrees F) and in indirect light.
They should germinate within 14 to 28 days.
Harden off when seedlings are about 2 inches tall.
The flowers are small and yellow surrounded by papery white bracts that dry exceptionally well.
Summer Snow is a popular dwarf variety that is good for edging.
This plant spikes tall geometric flowers with white petals and prickly purple bracts late spring into early summer.
Both are also excellent choices for attracting butterflies to the garden.
Veronica
Easy and undemanding,veronicacatches the eye in sunny gardens for many months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pearly everlasting blooms from midsummer to fall.
In some areas, the plants will begin flowering in June and carry on through October.
It is also frequently visited by pollinators when in flower.
The herbs should be completely dried within two weeks and keep most of their color and scent.
