Overview
Leucogenes is a matforming, spreading branched alpine rockery in the genus Leucogenes, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. Leucogenes grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include gravel garden, patio and container plants and rock garden.
About
Leucogenes, commonly known as New Zealand edelweiss, is a genus of woody, evergreen perennials native to New Zealand. These alpine rockery plants have a matforming, spreading branched habit with fleshy, silvery-green leaves that are deciduous. They produce small, tubular white flowers with yellow centres, resembling Edelweiss, which appear in spring and summer. Leucogenes thrives in full sun on south- or west-facing, exposed sites with fertile, well-drained loam or sandy soils of varying pH. Hardy to UK zone H4, it is suitable for gravel gardens, rock gardens, patios, and containers, and can be propagated by seed or stem tip cuttings.
About the genus
Leucogenes is a genus of plants in the family Asteraceae, native to New Zealand.
Wikipedia contributors, "Leucogenes", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Leucogenes
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Leucogenes
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
Leucogenes size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Alpine Rockery, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Matforming, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Leucogenes
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe, or by stem tip cuttings in late summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to red spider mite when grown under glass, and to slugs and snails when grown outdoors
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Leucogenes?
Leucogenes prefers full sun. It suits exposed positions.
What soil does Leucogenes need?
Leucogenes grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Leucogenes hardy in the UK?
Leucogenes has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.
How do I propagate Leucogenes?
Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe, or by stem tip cuttings in late summer.