Plant Sale 2025 — Antennaria plantaginifolia

Antennaria plantaginifolia (Plantain-leaved Pussytoes) is a mat forming groundcover, reaching no more than 6″ tall, that can take some foot traffic. It grows on the sides of roads, in poor to average to dry soil in full to partial sun. Blooming from March to the end of April the cream-colored flowers are fuzzy tufts that look like the toes of a kitten. It is easy to grow, drought tolerant — just make sure to get any leaves off it early in spring to prevent rot. It will also spread by horizontal stolons and by seed. To prevent seedlings, cut the flower heads as soon as the flowers start to get fluffy. Antennaria plantaginifolia will grow in unamended soil and remains semi-evergreen in winter. Members of the native Antennaria genus are the host plants for six native butterfly and moth caterpillars including the American Painted Lady butterfly.

Photos: E.M. Truax