Antennaria dioica (Pussy Toes)
Mountain Everlasting, Pussy Toes, Cat's Ear, Cat's Foot, Moor Everlasting, Mountain Cat's Foot, Mountain Cudweed, Purple Mountain Cottonweed, Antennaria candida, Antennaria dioica hort. var. minima, Antennaria dioica hort. var. tomentosa, Antennaria tomentosa hort., Gnaphalium dioicum
Tough and well-behaved, Antennaria dioica (Pussy Toes) is a semi-evergreen perennial forming a beautiful carpet of small, spoon-shaped, silver-gray leaves with a blue cast, 1 in. long (2.5 cm), and white-hairy undersides. In late spring to early summer, the plant sends up erect stems, up to 4 in. tall (10 cm), boasting fluffy white or pink flower-heads that resemble the toes of a pussycat. The flowers are dioecious, male and female flowers occur on separate plants, and do not require deadheading. Antennaria dioica is stoloniferous and spreads slowly, forming an attractive silvery mat. Great as a small-scale groundcover, within stepping stones, for the front of the garden or the rock garden, it is a valuable plant for dry areas.
- Grows up to 2-3 in. tall (5-7 cm) and 18 in. wide (45 cm).
- Performs best in full sun in moderately fertile, gritty or sandy, dry to medium, well-drained soils. Tolerates poor infertile soils and hot, dry locations. Good drainage in all seasons is critical to reduce root rot. Drought tolerant.
- Perfect for border fronts, as a groundcover, rock gardens, or containers.
- Generally pest and disease free.
- Propagate by division in the spring or by seed.
- Native to the temperate Northern Hemisphere.
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Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 4
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, A1, A2 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 2" – 3" (5cm – 7cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" (45cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Native Plants | United States, Alaska |
Tolerance | Drought |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden |
By Grigorii Pisotsckii, Shutterstock
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
Hardiness | 3
– 8 |
---|---|
Heat Zones | 4
– 9 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, A1, A2 |
Plant Type | Perennials |
Exposure | Full Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early) |
Height | 2" – 3" (5cm – 7cm) |
Spread | 1' – 2' (30cm – 60cm) |
Spacing | 18" (45cm) |
Water Needs | Low |
Maintenance | Low |
Soil Type | Chalk, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Showy, Semi-Evergreen |
Native Plants | United States, Alaska |
Tolerance | Drought |
Garden Uses | Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Patio and Containers |
Garden Styles | Gravel and Rock Garden |