Growth habit: Mat-forming perennial that spreads by short stolons

Height: Flowering stems up to 30 cm

Spread: 20 - 30 cm

Bloom Time: June

Bloom Colour: Pink

Light: Full sun

Moisture: Dry to average

Soil: Average garden soil

Seeding: Requires cold stratification. See the article on our Plant Info page titled "Stratifying Native Seeds".

Landscape uses: A very good low perennial groundcover for drier areas. Suggested spacing for planting is 20 - 30 cm. It can be crowded out by larger species so keep this in mind when selecting neighbouring plants. An excellent addition to rock gardens.

Interesting features: The common name of pussy-toes comes from the tiny, soft, fuzzy flower clusters, which resemble a kitten's paw. An alternative name, everlasting, refers to the papery fruiting heads which persist for much of the summer. Only female plants of rosy pussytoes exist in Alberta and these form seed by self-fertilization.

Natural habitat: No longer found in the Edmonton area, although often found on dry, rocky alpine ridges.

Ecology: Larval host plant for American Painted Lady butterflies. Small bees, tachinid and syrphid flies may use the flowers as a pollen resource.