Toxic Plant Inconnu - Inadequate information on toxicity found.
Image of Antennaria howellii
Source: Nate Martineau
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Plant Names

image of Plante à fleurs
Antennaria howellii
Howell's Pussytoes
Antennaire de Howell

Synonyms

small pussytoes

Plant Characteristics

Couleur de floraison: Blanc Bloom Period: May - Jun
Hauteur max: 1,0 feet
Max Width: 1,0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
Full sun Plus de 6 heures d'ensoleillement par jour
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture dry Tolère des conditions de sol sec
Lifespan: Vivace des plantes qui reviennent année après année Plant is dioecious Need a male and female plant to produce seeds
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
does not spread Ne se propage pas de manière incontrôlable
plant spread by rhizome Spreads by rhizome
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
rock garden Suitable for rock gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
Ecological Benefits:
butterfly host Butterfly host
Tolerates:
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
Rabbit Resistant Rabbit resistant
Sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
Juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
Transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
septic tank safe This plant is septic tank safe

Seed and plant distribution status

Semences disponible
Disponible à la table Mi-soleil, sec
Nous acceptions les semences de cette plante

Faits intéressants

Howell’s Pussytoes is a low-growing, silvery native perennial that forms soft mats in dry, sunny sites such as rock gardens, prairies, open woods, or sandy slopes. It spreads gently by stolons to create a manageable groundcover. In spring, short stems rise with clusters of fuzzy white flowers that resemble tiny cat paws, giving the plant its whimsical name.

Howell's Pussytoes is drought-tolerant and hardy in poor soils, it attracts native pollinators. Its compact, steady-spreading habit makes it an ideal low-maintenance option for naturalized gardens, dry borders, or small patches in low-traffic areas.

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Oui

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Antennaria howellii
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Taïga des plaines
  • Maritime de l'Atlantique
  • Taïga du Bouclier
  • Plaines boréales
  • Cordillière montagnarde
  • Bouclier boréal
  • Plaines à forêts mixtes

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Antennaria howellii

Specialized Bees Supported by Antennaria howellii

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley)
  • Scilla siberica (Siberian Squill)
  • Salvia (Non-Native Sage)

Sowing Information

Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow anytime
  • Stratification duration: 0 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: July
  • Harvesting indicator:
    • Seeds have become fluffy and can be easily removed by shaking on gently pulling off from stem
  • Harvesting:
    • Utiliser la main pour détacher de la tige principale
  • Seed viability test:
    • Pas de test requis avant le don
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/4 teaspoon
  • Seed storage:
    • Sécher à l'air dans un sac en papier ou contenant ouvert, pour quelques jours jusqu'à sec
    • Secouer de temps à autre pour prévenir la moisissure
  • Cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.