Pearly Everlasting
Anaphalis margaritacea
General Information
Pearly Everlasting is an easy-to-grow, upright, clumping herbaceous perennial or biennial.
Pearly Everlasting is typically found in o moist meadows, by rivers, and in sandy and waste places. Pearly Everlasting prefers full sun and somewhat dry, sandy conditions. It is more drought tolerant than most Anaphalis species and tolerates poor, nutrient-deficient soils.
Pearly Everlasting has long-lasting, yellowish-white flowers that resemble tiny asters. It is dioecious, meaning all flowers on a single plant are either male and female. Pearly Everlasting blooms between June and September.
Dyes can be obtained from the flowers, stems and leaves of Pearly Everlasting. The leaves, flowers and stems have been used as an incense.
Plant Information
Plant Type:
Herbaceous perennial
Sun Preference:
Full Sun * Part Sun
Soil Moisture Preference:
Dry * Medium-Dry
Plant Height:
2 feet
Plant Width:
2 feet
Plant Spacing:
1 to 2 feet
Flower Color:
White
Flower timing:
June to September
Culture Information:
Pearly Everlasting works best in meadows, rock walls, walkways, and rock gardens. It is effective in dry meadows or prairies, native plantings and wildflower gardens.
When first planted, Pearly Everlasting should be watered weekly for first few months, unless at least an inch of rain has been received in the last week to help it get established. After it becomes established, Pearly Everlasting does not typically need watering, as it is drought tolerant.
If desired, Pearly Everlasting can be cut back to the ground in late fall or over winter. Pearly Everlasting can be aggressive under optimum growing conditions and spreads by stolons.
Tolerates:
Drought
Poor Soil
Rabbits
Pests & Disease:
Pearly Everlasting typically has no serious insect problems. Being a larval host plant, it is somewhat susceptible to damage from caterpillars.
Pearly Everlasting typically has no serious disease issues.
Wildlife Use:
Pollinators: Pearly Everlasting attracts many pollinators including bees and butterflies. It is a larval host plant for the Painted Lady Butterfly.
Birds: N/A.
Mammals: N/A.
Other: N/A.
Native to:
More Information:
NC State Plant Database:
Missouri Botanical Garden:
TN-KY Plant Atlas
Other Link: