Pearly everlasting, Anaphalis margaritacea
 
Pearly everlasting is a very attractive plant, ideal for the garden edge, because it is short and salt-tolerant. There are male flowers, whose center is brownish, containing pollen surrounded by an open ring of white bracts, and female flowers that look egg-shaped with closed bracts. The different colour tones and shapes give the flowers an elegant appearance. The plant is beautiful from July to September and grows 30 to 60 cm tall. 
 
Ecology:
Pearly everlasting is the larval host plant for the American and painted lady butterfly. The butterflies are one of the first butterflies we can observe, looking for a plant to lay their eggs on in the spring. The caterpillars create a small silken tent over the flower buds and eat ferociously - until the plant is almost gone. They change their look every time they moult, and they are some interesting-looking fellows. However, since plants and butterflies co-evolved, plants will rebound quickly and bloom once the caterpillars undergo metamorphosis.  
Pearly everlasting provides nectar and pollen to bees of all sizes. 
 
Growing conditions:
It thrives in poor, even rocky soils in full sun and dry conditions. Once established, it is drought-tolerant. However, it will still do well in partial shade, in moist gardens and in any soil. 
 
Good to know:
The blooms can be dried for use as dried flowers.
Deer resistant.
Spreads nicely to fill in gaps.