Pussytoes:
Every year our friends at the Calgary Horticultural Society (CHS) choose a perennial plant of the year. We know many of you are looking for great plants for your Calgary garden, so we make sure we have plenty on hand. Look for the CHS Perennial Plant of the year in the greengate greenhouse. You'll be able to spot them in the perennials area. As always, if you need a hand just ask one of our qualified greenhouse staff!
Antennaria dioica
Common Name: Pussytoes
The soft grey-green foliage with white undersides and small, fluffy, pink flowers that resemble the toes of a cat, are standout features of this beautifully textured groundcover.
A. dioica is native to Alaska, although there are other species native to Alberta. Its stoloniferous root system grows slowly and is not aggressive. Individual plants usually spread about 45 cm and reach a height of only 5 to 7 cm making it ideal for borders. The blooms appear in late spring and generally hold strong until mid-summer, offering several weeks of colour.
Pussytoes is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, grows well in full sun and is drought-tolerant once established.
There is no need to deadhead the flowers once they are finished blooming. Pussytoes is largely free of pests and diseases and is touted as being both deer and rabbit resistant. (Bear in mind this is not a guarantee.)
Tough-as-nails, low maintenance, and adorable, what's not to love about pussytoes?
Common Name: Pussytoes
Height: 5 to 7 cm
Spread: 45 cm
Exposure: Full Sun
Soil Moisture: Average to dry, once established.
Zone: 3
(Abridged from 'Perennial Plant of the Year' by Elaine Rude, Calgary Gardening Magazine, April 2026 Edition, Page 24, Calgary Horticultural Society.)