Antennaria dioica

PUSSY TOES

SALE: Buy 1 get 2

Antennaria dioica
PUSSY TOES
SALE: Buy 1 get 2 packets

Antennaria dioica is an old favourite.
Because it is so tough and hardy; and utterly charming with it’s fuzzy flowers like kitten’s paws.

Tough, hardy & utterly charming kitten paws

Antennaria dioica creates a tight, ground hugging mat of silver, blue-grey furry foliage all year round.
Then in spring and summer it pops up with clusters of fluffy white and pink “pussy toes”.
Which sit jauntily up on very upright, short stems.

Tight little weed suppressing groundcover

Antennaria dioica forms a dense, matting groundcover of foliage, which helps to block out weeds.
Although it gently spreads it is in no way invasive.
And so is highly recommended for small gardens, or draping from a pot, as well as for mass planting in larger gardens.
It also makes a very attractive permanent edge to a garden bed, or an underplanting for taller shrubs like roses.
Or even tucked between paving stones because it is so flat, dense and silvery.

Tough & easy to grow

Pussy Toes is the perfect low maintenance plant.
Because it never needs any pruning or trimming; grows happily in poorer soils, sandy or gravel conditions; and really appreciates a hot, dry, and well drained position.
It is almost unheard of to be bothered by pests and diseases.

Water-wise & drought resistant

Needless to say Pussy Toes deeply resents poor drainage and heavy soil, and will quickly leave you in such conditions.
It is a very water-wise plant, requiring only minimal supplementary watering.
And once established it is valued as a drought resistant plant by gardeners with limited summer water.

Frost hardy

Antennaria dioica is very frost hardy as well as dry hardy.
So it can tolerate winter cold to well below -25C.

Trouble free, long lived groundcover

Antennaria dioica is a trouble free, low maintenance, evergreen perennial groundcover.
7cm. High when the Pussy Toes are at full flower x 45cm. Wide flat silver-blue-grey evergreen mat of foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: EASY
Suits beginners & gardening with kids

Sow seeds for Antennaria dioica indoors in a punnet during spring, winter or autumn / or scatter directly in garden in autumn and spring.

Sow indoors for fast & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.

Then gently pat the surface of the mix to ensure the seeds have good contact with the mix.
And barely cover the seeds with a thin scattering of sieved mix or vermiculite.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the mix by standing the sown punnet in a shallow water bath and allowing the water to percolate through below, until the surface is moist.

Place the punnet in a warm, but not hot, well lit position (not in any direct sunlight).

Seeds enjoy warmth

Temperatures around 15C are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a heat mat to maintain temperature if you have one, but it is not essential.
A sheltered window sill or corner is fine.

Then continue to keep consistently moist by misting from a spray water bottle as required, but not waterlogged.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic cover will help maintain consistent moisture and prevent drying out.
Remove the cover as soon as sprouting commences.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 28 days.
But patience – do not be too hasty to discard the punnet, as it is normal for these seeds to stagger germination. This is a natural protective trick for the plant to give the baby offspring a sporting chance of sprouting into favourable conditions.

Seed Count: 70 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the seed count and give a generous serve).

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