Pearly Everlasting
Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea)
You’ve probably seen me growing along sunny roadsides or in dry, open fields. I’m Pearly Everlasting, my official name is Anaphalis margaritacea, but that’s a mouthful. I’ve got silvery leaves, small white blooms with soft yellow centres, and I stick around long after summer ends. While other flowers fade, I stay standing, holding my shape and colour into fall.
But I’m not just a pretty plant. Look closely at my leaves and you might spot something strange - little leafy tents. These are made by butterfly caterpillars, the American Ladies. They spin silk to fold my leaves around themselves, making a cozy shelter while they grow. Sure, they leave behind bits of chewed leaf and caterpillar poop, but I don’t mind. My soft leaves are easy to fold, and I’m happy to help.
The Painted Lady Butterfly isn’t a stranger to me either in the spring, but butterflies aren’t the only ones who rely on me. A small native moth called the Everlasting Tebenna lays her eggs on me too, and her larvae quietly snack on my leaves. Later in the season, birds like goldfinches come to eat my seeds, and bees visit my yellow centres for nectar. Those yellow centres are surrounded by white bracts; they look like petals, but they’re really just fancy leaf-like parts that help make my flowers stand out.
You won’t find me asking for much. Dry, rocky places with full sun suit me just fine, and I’m not bothered if the rain takes its time. Deer tend to walk on by. My roots dig deep, holding soil in place when wind or water tries to carry it off. People have found uses for me too! In traditional Indigenous medicine to help with coughs and inflammation, or to dye fabric soft yellow. Some have even tried cooking my young leaves, though I suspect most stop after one bite.
Growing me is easy, even if you’ve never kept a plant alive before. My seeds don’t need much coaxing; scatter them in winter, and let the cold and snow do their thing. I’ll take it from there. Give me some sun, a little time, and I’ll show up when the season turns.
I don’t grow fast or take over. I just stay where I’m planted, offering shelter, food, and a little beauty, quietly doing my part in the world around me.