Dwarf Pussytoes
Antennaria dioica 'Minima'
Plant Height: 1 inch
Flower Height: 2 inches
Spread: 12 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 1
Other Names: Pussy Toes, Pussy-Toes
Description:
Attractive wooly, silver foliage is perfect for dry, sunny locations, provides food for native butterflies and bees; half the size of standard pussytoes, this is an excellent groundcover for xeriscapes
Ornamental Features
Dwarf Pussytoes's attractive tiny tomentose narrow leaves remain grayish green in color throughout the year on a plant with a spreading habit of growth. It features tiny balls of pink flowers at the ends of the stems from late spring to early summer.
Landscape Attributes
Dwarf Pussytoes is a dense herbaceous evergreen perennial with a ground-hugging habit of growth. It brings an extremely fine and delicate texture to the garden composition and should be used to full effect.
This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. Deer don't particularly care for this plant and will usually leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Dwarf Pussytoes is recommended for the following landscape applications;
Planting & Growing
Dwarf Pussytoes will grow to be only 1 inch tall at maturity extending to 2 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 12 inches. Its foliage tends to remain low and dense right to the ground. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 5 years. As an evegreen perennial, this plant will typically keep its form and foliage year-round.
This plant should only be grown in full sunlight. It prefers dry to average moisture levels with very well-drained soil, and will often die in standing water. It is considered to be drought-tolerant, and thus makes an ideal choice for a low-water garden or xeriscape application. It is not particular as to soil pH, but grows best in poor soils. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.