I wanted to take one pot home with me to see if I could propagate it on Philippine soil. Alas, I was dissuaded from doing so by the Swiss lady at a garden shop in the medieval town of Yvoire. So I just held one pot and hummed the tune as I marveled at the little white blossoms made popular by the film “The Sound of Music.” They grow around the Alpine mountains and are protected by the Swiss government from being plucked my mountaineers.

Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Every morning you greet me
Small and white, clean and bright
You look happy to meet me
Blossom of snow may you bloom and grow, Bloom and grow forever!
Edelweiss, Edelweiss
Bless my homeland forever!