This is my single favorite drought-tolerant, native, resilient, and trouble-free ground cover that I recommend for any dry northern garden.
Antennaria!
Antennaria!
Antennaria!
Antennaria is a low growing, mat-forming North American native perennial. It has silvery, basal rosettes and shoots up furry white or pink blooms in early summer.
Antennaria isn't a species, but rather a genus of perennials. Most of these grey, mat-forming beauties are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with many species native to cold mountain states like Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming, although the range of this genus seems to be very large.
Some species aren't hardy to Zone 5, so be sure to check plant hardiness before buying. I believe I grow these species: Antennaria plantaginifolia (feild pussytoes) or neglecta and Antennaria parvifolia. I harvested my plants with permission from private property, so I can't be 100% confident on the ID, especially considering the huge range of many species of Antennaria. However, many of these species seem to have very similar habits, so I'll be referring to them all as Antennaria.
There are so many reasons to grow this understated beauty!
Ready? K cool.
1. North American Native
As mentioned, the many species of Antennaria grow all over the North American continent. Below is a chart from the Forest Service showing the range of A. parvifolia and others, stretching from the far reaches of Canada to Texas. What a resilient plant!
The value of planting native is multifaceted. For one, planting native plants can make your garden a part of the local ecosystem. Various species of Antennaria are hosts to important and beautiful creatures, like the American lady butterfly (neglecta) and fireflies. Further, they are more likely to survive without any special care, having already been adapted to grow in your unique ecosystem. That can translate to fewer pests, fewer diseases, and less watering.
Above: Pyropyga nigricans (firefly) on Antennaria. Shoutout to r/whatisthisbug for the ID! Thank you kind entomologist.
Distribution of A. Parvifolia
Distribution of A. Negletca
Distribution of A. Rosea
Distribution of A. Media
2. Drought Tolerant
It's a common misconception that if a plant is native, it is also drought tolerant. Remember, native plants grow in wet areas, too! (Joe Pye weed, I'm looking at you, you water-sucker.)
But in the case of Antennaria, this lil guy is seriously drought tolerant. By the way, fuzzy silver foliage is usually indicative of a particularly drought and sun tolerant plant.
If you read the About Me section of the blog, then you know I've been burned before. So many times a plant will be described as drought-tolerant by someone living in a rainy area, but once it gets to my dry garden, it withers and dies. Know that when I say this plant does not need supplemental water, I mean it whole-heartedly.
*I receive about 22 inches of water per year, so adjust your expectations accordingly.
3. Shade and Sun Tolerant
Yep, you heard that right.
Antennaria grows in shade and sun in my garden.
It makes sense, considering that this plant often grows in prairie fields where in early spring, it will bake in the brightest rays, only to be slowly covered by big native grasses, like bluestem. That being said, it's just as happy in a shaded crack in a limestone outcropping as a full sun exposure on a sandy slope.
Above: Antennaria growing just fine covered by annual moss rose
This plant just doesn't seem to care, which makes it a particularly useful groundcover. I plant it knowing that it won't care if taller annuals or perennials block the sun by august, which means I don't have to fuss over finding ground covers for those tricky areas of the garden.
4. Vigorous but Restrained
Antennaria is both vigorous and restrained, which might be the single most desirable trait of any groundcover in existence. It somehow spreads with a thick, mat-like carpet that goes everywhere you want it to. I've never had to restrain it, but I've also never had an issue with gaps or thin coverage.
Seriously, could a plant be any better?
Below you can see the progression of growth in one season. I planted Antennaria while dormant in March of 2023. The last photo was taken in late August of 2023.
5. Problem and Pest Free
While I'm sure like all plants, Antennaria isn't impervious to its native pests, diseases, and problems. But so far, the Antennaria in my garden has been 100% trouble free. Despite being a native host plant to many species of caterpillars, I haven't seen noticeable damage.
6. Not Particular about Soil
Sand?
Sure!
Red clay?
You bet.
Silt?
Why not!
As long as you don't live in a wet climate, Antennaria seems like a choice for any kind of soil, naturally growing in a wide variety of soil types.
Does it get any better in one plant? I don't think so.
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