Great Design Plant: Antennaria Neglecta
Plant field pussytoes in midwestern and eastern U.S. rock gardens for early-spring flowers and silver foliage
Heather Holm
December 11, 2015
Field pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta) is a U.S. native perennial that grows in sandy, open sites near woodlands, in old fields and in shallow soils in partial or full sun. This low-growing, herbaceous plant can be used in a rock garden, between steppingstones or on the edge of a sidewalk.
Field pussytoes, as well as other plants in the Antennaria genus, is a larval host plant for the American lady butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis). If you want to garden for butterflies, this is an excellent larval host plant that you can include in your garden to provide food for caterpillars.
Field pussytoes, as well as other plants in the Antennaria genus, is a larval host plant for the American lady butterfly (Vanessa virginiensis). If you want to garden for butterflies, this is an excellent larval host plant that you can include in your garden to provide food for caterpillars.
Botanical name: Antennaria neglecta
Common name: Field pussytoes
Origin: Native from Montana east to Maine in the North and from Colorado and Oklahoma in the Southwest eastward to North Carolina; in Canada it is native from British Columbia eastward to Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island as well as the Northwest Territory
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 43 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 2b to 7b; find your zone)
Typical plant communities: Dry to medium woodland edges and openings, old fields, rocky bluffs and sand prairies
Soil requirement: Dry to medium, sand to loamy-sand soil
Light requirement: Partial sun to full sun
Mature size: 4 to 14 inches tall and 4 to 8 inches wide
Common name: Field pussytoes
Origin: Native from Montana east to Maine in the North and from Colorado and Oklahoma in the Southwest eastward to North Carolina; in Canada it is native from British Columbia eastward to Quebec, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island as well as the Northwest Territory
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 45 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 43 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 2b to 7b; find your zone)
Typical plant communities: Dry to medium woodland edges and openings, old fields, rocky bluffs and sand prairies
Soil requirement: Dry to medium, sand to loamy-sand soil
Light requirement: Partial sun to full sun
Mature size: 4 to 14 inches tall and 4 to 8 inches wide
Benefits and tolerances: Tolerates dry conditions, sandy soil and periodic mowing
Seasonal interest: Silver-gray basal clusters of leaves covered in fine white hairs; upright narrow flower heads that resemble upside-down cat’s paws (pussy toes) open from April through June
When to plant: Spring or fall; potted plants are available from most native-plant nurseries in areas where it occurs
Distinguishing traits. Field pussytoes is a low-growing native perennial that develops stolons that spread aboveground and then root, forming new clumps or clusters of silvery basal foliage.
White flowers that resemble upside-down cat’s paws (pussy toes) are held on upright flower stalks and open between April and June. In regions where sandy soil occurs, it is not uncommon for large clusters of this plant to grow intermixed with grass in rural lawns or on roadside embankments.
Seasonal interest: Silver-gray basal clusters of leaves covered in fine white hairs; upright narrow flower heads that resemble upside-down cat’s paws (pussy toes) open from April through June
When to plant: Spring or fall; potted plants are available from most native-plant nurseries in areas where it occurs
Distinguishing traits. Field pussytoes is a low-growing native perennial that develops stolons that spread aboveground and then root, forming new clumps or clusters of silvery basal foliage.
White flowers that resemble upside-down cat’s paws (pussy toes) are held on upright flower stalks and open between April and June. In regions where sandy soil occurs, it is not uncommon for large clusters of this plant to grow intermixed with grass in rural lawns or on roadside embankments.
How to use it. It is best planted in clusters so that a large mass forms as the plants fill in and spread outward. Use it in a rock garden, allowing the plant to spread in the spaces around the rocks; on the edges of or between informal steppingstones or pavers; along the border of a perennial garden; or planted in the lawn.
Planting notes. Look for small container-grown plants at your local nursery. There is no need to purchase this plant in large containers, as small container-grown plants will spread and fill in during one or two growing seasons.
Planting notes. Look for small container-grown plants at your local nursery. There is no need to purchase this plant in large containers, as small container-grown plants will spread and fill in during one or two growing seasons.
Pollinator notes. All of the flowers on a given plant are either male or female. They can be pollinated by wind, which transports the pollen from male flowers to female flowers. The flowers can also be insect-pollinated. Pollinator activity can be variable from season to season; look for native bees, flies, beetles and, occasionally, butterflies visiting the flowers.
The American lady butterfly — which seems to demonstrate a preference for laying eggs on plants with silver foliage, such as everlasting (Gnaphalium and Anaphalis) and wormwood (Artemisia) — will also lay eggs on field pussytoes. This butterfly migrates from the southern United States in the spring, arriving in the upper Midwest in early May. Females lay their eggs on the underside of the leaf of the host plant, as shown in this photo.
The American lady butterfly — which seems to demonstrate a preference for laying eggs on plants with silver foliage, such as everlasting (Gnaphalium and Anaphalis) and wormwood (Artemisia) — will also lay eggs on field pussytoes. This butterfly migrates from the southern United States in the spring, arriving in the upper Midwest in early May. Females lay their eggs on the underside of the leaf of the host plant, as shown in this photo.
Look for late-instar American lady caterpillars in early June in the leaves (instar refers to the phase between two molting periods). The caterpillars form an easy-to-spot feeding shelter by joining the sides of a leaf together, causing the leaves to curl.
Shown: A painted lady butterfly caterpillar
More
Give Your Lawn a Taste of the Wild
Browse plants native to other regions of the U.S.
Shown: A painted lady butterfly caterpillar
More
Give Your Lawn a Taste of the Wild
Browse plants native to other regions of the U.S.
Dave Fox is a design/build remodeling firm with a customer focused process, an incredible staff and a close knit... Read More
Related Products
Because every home deserves an amazing kitchen: A beautiful, welcoming and functional space that’s designed for... Read More
Related Stories
Landscape Design
What Will We Want in Our Landscapes in 2024?
Discover seven trends that landscape designers predict homeowners will be bringing into their outdoor spaces this year
Full Story
Spring Gardening
8 Tips to Get Your Early-Spring Garden Ready for the Season
Find out how to salvage plants, when to cut back damaged branches, when to mulch and more
Full Story
Winter Gardening
How to Prune Your Fruit Trees in Winter
Garden chores may slow down this season, but pruning your fruit trees now means healthier plants that will produce more
Full Story
Winter Gardening
Get a Head Start on Planning Your Garden Even if It’s Snowing
Reviewing what you grew last year now will pay off when it’s time to head outside
Full Story
Landscape Design
Pros Share Their Top Plant Picks for a Low-Maintenance Yard
Landscape pros weigh in on the plants they’d use — and ones they’d avoid — to create an easy-care garden
Full Story
Landscape Design
10 Tips for Planting a Beautiful, Low-Maintenance Landscape
Landscape pros share their advice for planning a garden that’s easy to care for
Full Story
Gardening Guides
12 Gardening Ideas You Can Count as Resolutions
See how to set up your outdoor areas for more enjoyment next year and make them a bit more earth-friendly in the process
Full Story
Holidays
Last-Minute Ideas for Attractive Winter Container Designs
Create a welcoming holiday entryway with ideas from these 9 looks
Full Story
Winter Gardening
8 Tips for Keeping Your Houseplants Healthy in Winter
Reduce watering, stop fertilizing, move them into the light and more
Full Story
Fall Gardening
7 Reasons Not to Clean Up Your Fall Garden
Before you pluck and rake, consider wildlife, the health of your plants and your own right to relax
Full Story
Oh I remember this! It is lovely, low growing and one of the first bits of color in the spring! My daughters would always make little nosegays with them the 'mayflowers' and any field pansy or 'johnny jump up'. Of course we had over 3 acres and would let about half of it grow up to field and wildflowers, so spreading was encouraged. We did have many painted lady butterflies too!
Sigrid - This is not a thug. It is easy to pull up as the roots are very shallow and it roots from the above ground stolons. Good luck!
This is an incredibly versatile and outstanding groundcover for Mid-Atlantic and Mid-Western gardens. The silvery foliage is a stunner and rare for native plants in the eastern US. I like both Antennaria Parlinii and the more refined Antennaria neglecta with its smaller more serrated leaves making it appear even more like an ornamental perennial. American lady butterflies make a distinct grey withered leaf pattern after feeding, so you will know when they're around.
I would add this to a top 10 native plant must have list for the compact groundcover that does NOT spread rapidly, I wish it did, and its grey-silvery foliage is rare in true natives to the Mid-Atlantic.