Rosy Pussytoes

Rosy pussytoes is a low North American perennial that spreads into a close mat of softly woolly, gray-green to silvery foliage. Its compact heads bring rosy color in early to mid-summer, with bracts that can range from pink to red or cream-white. The ground-hugging foliage and small stature make it useful at the front of a dry, open planting or in a rock garden. ## Appearance and garden use South Dakota State University describes creeping stolons and shallow rhizomes forming dense mats, with upright flowering stems about 10–40 cm tall. The same account notes that the flower bracts vary in color and that this plant serves as a host for American painted lady caterpillars. Kew accepts *Antennaria rosea* and records it across western and northern North America, including Utah and Colorado. See the [SDSU species account](https://openprairie.sdstate.edu/nativeplant/432/) and [Kew Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:272200-2). ## Siting Use it where a low, spreading native groundcover can knit together open soil without being trampled. Its natural habitat includes rocky openings and dry prairie; regional moisture and exposure still affect establishment and flowering. ## Maintenance Water new plants until established, then adjust irrigation to rainfall and soil drainage. Keep surrounding plants from overtopping the low mat, and trim only damaged or untidy stems as needed.