Stoloniferous pussytoes Antennaria dioica
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- an-ten-AIR-ee-ah dye-oh-EE-kah
- Description
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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:
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- 'Minima'
- 'Minima'
- 'Minima'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Minima'
- 'Minima'
- 'Minima'
- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Flower stems are up to 10 inches.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Rock Wall
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Poor Soil