Saussurea laniceps Seeds | Woolly Snow Lotus
LATIN NAME: Saussurea laniceps
COMMON NAME: Woolly Snow Lotus
Plant Profile
Woolly Snow Lotus (Saussurea laniceps) grows as a low, clumping perennial. It steadily establishes a rounded crown, eventually 5-10 metres tall. Site it in full sun, in deep, fertile ground. The flowers pull in pollinating insects, which quietly widens its usefulness in the garden. Gardeners value it precisely for this blend of qualities.
Science & Biotechnology
Research touching on Saussurea laniceps ranges from the botany of the Saussurea group to practical horticulture, including seed handling, propagation and the selection of superior forms. Snow lotus has a genuine and important place in both botanical and conservation research. It retains a following among breeders and collectors, which keeps seed stocks in circulation.
Uses & Benefits
Woolly Snow Lotus works well in borders, containers and dedicated beds. Ecologically, snow lotus is a marvel of high mountain. Its purple flowers feed few insects of alpine zone, and its woolly leaves shelter it from freezing wind, while it is a rare and iconic member of flora of the Himalaya, a plant that deserves every protection. Its economic value is real but must be handled with care. It establishes readily and then requires nothing out of the ordinary.
Snow lotus of the high Himalaya, Xue Lian Hua, is a legendary Chinese tonic for cold-damp pain and vitality, its rarity driving cultivation research; costus root, Mu Xiang, its lowland cousin, is a major qi-moving digestive herb.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Woolly Snow Lotus under ordinary good conditions. Use a loose, well-drained seed compost, sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly, and keep everything evenly moist in full sun. Shift the seedlings into small pots as soon as they can be handled, and give them bright light until planting-out time.
Our Take
Once established, Woolly Snow Lotus largely looks after itself. After establishment, care settles into an easy routine.
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