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Antennaria dioica

Phonetic Spelling
an-ten-AIR-ee-ah dye-oh-EE-kah
Description

Antennaria dioica, or Catsfoot, is an evergreen, herbaceous perennial often viewed as a 4-inch high groundcover (specifically, a dense mat that hugs the ground); however, it does not tolerate heavy foot traffic. In its native environment of Northern Europe, it is typically found in mountain grasslands, dry pastures and woodland edges, usually on calcareous soils. It actually prefers sandy, infertile soil. This plant spreads 8-12 inches and can reach a spread of 2 feet. As an evergreen, it is in leaf year round and flowers in mid to late summer. The plant forms a carpet and roots as it spreads; however, It is slow to spread and requires weeding for at least the first year.

The plant does best in sunny locations on dry or slightly moist, gritty to rocky soil, but can tolerate poor soils as well as drought. Established plants are drought tolerant and require sharp soil drainage. They thrive in cool summers, but not hot and humid summers. The plant is stoloniferous, rooting from creeping stems above the ground.

Diseases, Insect Pests and Other Plant Problems:

Prone to slug damage. Poorly-drained soils lead to root rot. Allergic reactions can occur in those sensitive to rag weed, chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Minima'
'Minima'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#semi-evergreen#silver leaves#pink flowers#dappled shade#silver#mat#wooly leaves#groundcover#sandy soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#dense growth
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Minima'
'Minima'
Tags:
#evergreen#full sun tolerant#drought tolerant#white flowers#semi-evergreen#silver leaves#pink flowers#dappled shade#silver#mat#wooly leaves#groundcover#sandy soils tolerant#partial shade tolerant#dense growth
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Antennaria
    Species:
    dioica
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Northern and Central Europe, Siberia to Western Asia
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    drought tolerant
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 3 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Ground Cover
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Dense
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Corymb
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Good Dried
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    The flowers are a cluster of fuzzy, white to pink flowers on 6 to 12 inch long stout stalks. Blooms in late spring to early summer. Plants are dioecious (male and female flowers on separate plants), with male flowers typically appearing on shorter flower stalks. Bristle-like hairs occur on the flower heads.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    White
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Shape:
    Spatulate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Silver foliage is 2 inches tall but generally 1-inch. They are spatula-shaped leaves arranged in rosettes and have white-wooly underside. Produces a foliage mat of basal leaves spreading to 18" wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Flower stems are up to 10 inches.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Rock Wall
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Design Feature:
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Poor Soil