Pussytoes Red (Antennaria Dioica Rubra) - Antennaria seeds are simple to grow for an attractive perennial ground cover. This image from Heritage Perennials shows a ground cover plant that can survive hot, dry, full sun, and poor soil conditions. Not too many plants can do this, but Antennaria ground cover plants can and will. Pussytoes, another name for Antennaria Dioica, tolerates both dry and moist conditions, as long as excellent drainage is available. Antennaria Dioica Rubra, forms a very low, creeping mat of tiny, bright silvery-grey leaves with fuzzy red flowers which will bloom towards the end of spring and last until the middle of summer.

Antennaria works great in many sunny or partial shade locations including: rock gardens, mass ground cover plantings, in between flagstones, or on top of rock walls. Simply plant the Antennaria seeds where you want a beautiful carpet of drought tolerant ground cover plants with red blooms. Antennaria seeds can be started indoors 6 - 8 weeks before the end of frost season and then transplanted outside once temperatures are consistently warm. For areas with long growing seasons, Antennaria ground cover seeds can be started directly outside in a prepared seedbed. Press the Pussytoes seeds into the soil but do not cover them, and maintain moisture until germination occurs.

Antennaria plants can be divided and moved to other locations. To keep the Antennaria looking its best, cut or mow off flower stems after blooming.

 

Excellent Ground Cover

How To Grow

If starting indoors, sow these seeds 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost. Sow 8-12 seeds per plant, and make sure to keep seeds moist until germination. Press seeds into the soil, but do not cover. Antennaria seeds can also be started directly outdoors after all frost danger has passed: however, sow at a maximum temperature of 41°F. Germination is irregular, and will occur over several months. Antennaria grows best in sunny locations, but otherwise tolerates a variety of soils ranging from sandy to clay.

• Environment: full sun
• Average germ time: 42-70 days
• Sowing rate: 8-12 seeds per plant

Plant Specifications

Antennaria dioica is a perennial ground cover that grows in USDA zones 5 through 9. It is a versatile plant with a hardy constitution, and is considered a problem-free plant.

• Bloom color: white
• Bloom season: spring to mid-summer
• Height: 4 inches