Sweet Everlasting (Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium), proposed by Akène
🌿 A hardy plant with fluffy, fragrant flowers 🌿
The Sweet Everlasting is an annual or biennial plant of the Asteraceae family, recognizable by its silvery foliage and woolly flowers reminiscent of small white buds with yellowish reflections. Its foliage and stems give off a sweet scent reminiscent of maple syrup , adding a unique olfactory touch to the garden.
🌱 This wild plant thrives in poor, well-drained soils , and fits perfectly into flower meadows and naturalistic gardens. It plays an essential ecological role by providing habitat for pollinators and native butterflies such as the Virginia Painted Lady.
Characteristics of the variety
📅 Flowering : August to October
📏 Height : 90 cm
🌱 Spacing : 40 cm
☀️ Exposure : Sun, partial shade
🌿 Life cycle : Annual that reseeds itself
🌾 Soil type : Sandy to loamy, poor
💧 Soil moisture content : Dry to medium
🦌 Deer Resistance : Moderate
📦 Seeds per packet : 750
Sowing and cultivation
📏 Sowing depth : Surface (seeds require light to germinate)
🌡 Germination time : 20 to 30 days
❄️ Cold stratification : 60 days
🔹 Outdoor method :
1️⃣ Sow directly in open ground in autumn or early spring, in well-drained soil.
2️⃣ Do not cover the seeds, but lightly tamp them down to ensure good contact with the soil.
3️⃣ Keep the soil moist until germination.
🔹 Indoor method :
🌱 Mix the seeds with a moist substrate (vermiculite, perlite or sand) and place them in the refrigerator for 60 days to improve germination.
💦 After stratification, sow on the surface of light potting soil, without covering them.
🌞 Place under bright light and maintain constant humidity until germination.
🌿 An easy to grow plant that reseeds itself naturally and comes back every year!
Medicinal and culinary uses
🍵 A plant with beneficial properties
The blunt-leaved gnaphale is known for its astringent, antispasmodic and diaphoretic properties. In infusion, it is used to relieve colds, fever and sore throats. Applied externally, it helps to calm skin inflammations and soothe minor wounds.
Ecological roles and utilities
🦋 A refuge for biodiversity : Serves as a host plant for the Virginia Painted Lady butterfly and attracts many pollinators.
🌾 A natural enrichment : Reseeds easily and contributes to the diversity of meadows and wild gardens.
🏡 An aesthetic and olfactory asset : Brings a touch of softness with its silver foliage and its maple syrup scent.
Why grow blunt-leaved gnaphale?
🍃 A hardy and easy to maintain wild plant
🌸 A real magnet for pollinators and butterflies
🍯 Foliage with the unique scent of maple syrup
🌱 An ideal choice for naturalistic and ecological gardens
🌿 Integrate this wonderful plant into your space and enjoy its rustic charm and its benefits for biodiversity!
