Native Plant of the Week: Pearly Everlasting ~ Anaphalis margaritacea

Pearly Everlasting ~ Anaphalis margaritacea


Pearly Everlasting is named for its flower heads that persist after it flowers. The individual flowers are whorls of bracts that when dried are used in dry flower arrangements.

This perennial native is common in sunny, dry sites in sandy or well drained soils. It is very attractive with the white colored flowers arising up to 3 feet in height above the fuzzy, gray colored leaves.

Flowers open in early July and persist into September. This is a common plant in Upper Michigan growing on exposed or disturbed roadsides.

If you have a sunny, dry, well drained spot in your landscape, Pearly Everlasting is a good candidate.

Another great reason to plant this native is because it's one of several larval host plants of the American Lady butterfly.

The caterpillars will enclose themselves in the leaves forming shelters as they feed on the leaves.

Pearly Everlasting is common in the west as well as in the northern Great Lakes area. See map below for range.

Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP).
2011. North American Plant Atlas. Chapel Hill, N.C.