The extremely rare and symbolic alpine edelweiss (Leontopodium nivale subsp. alpinum) has its main flowering period in midsummer, especially in July. The ornamental varieties for the home garden, mostly from the Himalayas, often bloom throughout the summer.
The edelweiss can inspire with a flowering period of up to 4 months
Ornamental varieties have a long flowering period
The edelweiss species cultivated as ornamental plants mainly bloom in July, sometimes as early as June and into September. Incidentally, the characteristic, eye-catching flowers are actually only pseudo-flowers. They consist of a star-shaped wreath of hairy bracts that cover the actual, very inconspicuous flower.
Edelweiss in a dry bouquet
Edelweiss can be dried very well and used for pretty, summery dry bouquets or arrangements. For this purpose, cut the flowers shortly after they emerge, the best time being midday on a warm and dry day. Edelweiss flowers for a dry bouquet are best cut in July.
tips and tricks
Alpine edelweiss is under strict nature protection and must therefore not be picked or dug up under any circumstances. Likewise, planting out is not permitted in order to prevent the non-native edelweiss from spreading (and thus pushing back the native ones).