Antennaria Plantaginifolia Pussytoes

This charming North American native wildflower is commonly called “pussytoes” for the shape of its fuzzy white flowers that are tinged with pink. The plants are dioecious, with male and female flowers appearing on separate plants in spring. Its low-growing, wooly, gray-green foliage is short enough to be planted in the front of borders or beneath shrubs.  If it is occasionally spotted with holes, don’t panic: The leaves are larval food for the American painted lady butterfly.

Antennaria plantaginifolia pussytoes will spread over time into a mat-forming groundcover. It thrives in lean, dry, rocky or gritty soil. It must have good drainage and should not be overwatered. It would be an ideal plant for wildlife gardens because of its low-maintenance needs.