Species Fries' Pussytoes
off-white flowers with brown sepals, green leaves and yellow-green stems

Fries' Pussytoes

Antennaria friesiana

Fries' Pussytoes (Antennaria friesiana) is a small flowering plant native to high alpine meadows in western North America. It has compact, rounded foliage covered with soft, white-gray fur. Its small, white flowers appear in the spring and summer and are held on sparse stems. Bees and other pollinators are attracted to the flowers. Fries' Pussytoes is an ideal ground cover for high alpine and meadow areas, where it can spread easily and quickly. It is drought tolerant, requiring only occasional water during the summer. It will even tolerate some light foot traffic. Its fur-like foliage also makes it an attractive ornamental.

Watering:

Minimal

Propagation:

Division,Seed Propagation,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Low

watering

Fries’ Pussytoes should be watered once per week, in the morning. Make sure to use low-pressure water with a soft sprinkler or a watering can with a fine rose. It is important to ensure that the soil is kept moderately moist, but not overly wet or soggy. During the heat of the summer, if the soil begins to dry out quickly, you may need to water the plant more often. Excessively dry soil can cause the leaves to turn yellow and curl. If the plant shows signs of distress due to too much water, stop watering and allow the soil to dry out.

sunlight

Fries' Pussytoes, or Antennaria friesiana, requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. If it is grown in an area with minimal or no shade, it should be placed in partial shade during the hottest part of the day (roughly between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.). In more temperate climates, it will grow well in full sun positions. This plant should not be exposed to direct, hot, afternoon sunlight for more than 4 hours per day, as this could cause leaf scorching. The amount of sunlight required will also depend on the climate and soil quality as well as other environmental factors. It is important to keep in mind that the more sunlight this plant species receives, the better it will grow.

pruning

Fries' Pussytoes should be pruned annually in the spring. Prune away any dead or damaged foliage, flowering stems, and the spent blooms. That will help to keep the plant looking its best and encourage fresh growth in the spring. Make sure you use sharp, clean pruning tools to prevent tearing and possible infection. Also, avoid pruning too aggressively or you may damage the plant. Pruning too much can weaken stems and delay flowering.