Antennaria parvifolia
small-leaf pussytoes
Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought TolerantContainer Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Antennaria parvifolia is a low, mat-forming perennial that spreads by stolons to create a dense ground layer 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) high. The spatulate basal leaves measure 0.4 to 1.2 inches (1 to 3 cm) long and are covered in dense white wool that gives the foliage a silver-gray cast. In late spring, upright stems carry tight clusters of flower heads framed by papery bracts in white, often tinged pink. The species is dioecious, with separate male and female plants, and female colonies sometimes set seed without pollination. Plants knit together into a weed-suppressing carpet on dry, open ground. Native to prairies, foothills, and rocky slopes, it withstands heat, drought, and low-fertility soils once established. The silvery mat persists through much of the year in mild climates and thins in deep cold. It needs sharp drainage and full sun; in rich, moist, or shaded sites the mat opens up and declines. Foliage holds its silver tone rather than changing color in autumn. Growth is steady but shallow-rooted, so colonies are simple to lift and divide.
Native Range
Native to central and western North America, from the Great Plains through the Rocky Mountains into the Great Basin. It grows on prairies, dry foothills, and rocky or gravelly slopes.Suggested Uses
Used as a drought-tolerant groundcover, in rock gardens, and between stepping stones in dry, sunny sites. It serves as a larval host for American lady butterflies and supports native bees. The low silver mat suits xeriscapes and sandy slopes where turf struggles.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 6"
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in late spring, generally April through June depending on elevation. Tight terminal clusters carry heads ringed by papery white to pink-tinged bracts. Bloom lasts about 3 to 4 weeks. Male and female flowers appear on separate plants.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white with pink-tinged bractsFoliage Description
silver-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun in sandy, gravelly, or loamy soil with sharp drainage. Antennaria parvifolia tolerates drought, heat, and low fertility once established, and needs little supplemental water. Soil pH from 6.0 to 7.5 suits it. The mat declines in rich, wet, or shaded conditions, where rot and thinning set in. It is cold hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8. Occasional division in spring keeps colonies vigorous.Pruning
Little pruning is needed. Spent flower stems can be sheared off after bloom to tidy the mat. Overgrown or bare patches can be lifted and replanted in spring. No seasonal cutback is necessary.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons