Catsfoot Antennaria dioica 'Alex Duguid'
ABOUT
Antennaria dioica 'Alex Duguid', commonly known as Mountain Everlasting or Catsfoot, is a perennial plant that exhibits a unique form typical of the species but with its own distinctive characteristics. The foliage consists of a tight rosette of spoon-shaped leaves, softly hairy, giving them a silver-grey appearance that adds texture and contrast to the garden. During the blooming season, this low-growing plant produces flower stalks topped with small, fluffy, cushion-like flower heads. The bracts surrounding the flowers are usually pink to white in color, providing a soft, muted palette. These blooms are resembling small pompoms and are particularly attractive to pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The plant is dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants. 'Alex Duguid' is a male cultivar and therefore bears staminate or pollen-producing flowers rather than the seed-producing blossoms of female plants. Mountain Everlasting spreads via aboveground runners, often forming dense, compact mats of foliage. The dual nature of its silvery leaves and charming flowers makes it an excellent ground cover for rockeries, borders, or as part of a native plant garden, adding year-round interest due to its evergreen nature in some climates.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Cushion Pussytoe, Mountain Everlasting, Cat's Foot, Stoloniferous Pussytoes
Common names
Gnaphalium dioicum L., Antennaria carpatica (Wahlenb.) Bluff & Fingerh., Antennaria dioica var. alpina (L.) House, Antennaria dioica var. hyperborea Dalla Torre & Sarnth., Antennaria dioica var. parvifolia (Nutt.) Torr. & A. Gray, Antennaria hyperborea Dalla Torre & Sarnth., Antennaria margaritacea var. dioica (L.) Zoll. & Moritzi, Antennaria parlinii var. dioica (L.) House, Antennaria parvifolia Nutt.
ToxicityTo humans
The common name for Antennaria dioica 'Alex Duguid' is Mountain everlasting. There is no widely recognized documented toxicity for Mountain everlasting to humans. Ingesting parts of this plant is unlikely to cause harm or symptoms of poisoning.
To pets
The common name for Antennaria dioica 'Alex Duguid' is Mountain everlasting. There is no widely recognized documented toxicity for Mountain everlasting to pets such as cats and dogs. Similar to humans, ingestion of this plant by pets is unlikely to cause toxicity or symptoms of poisoning.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Pink
Height
0.5 feet (15 cm)
Spread
1 feet (30 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
3
Native area
Europe
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators: Antennaria dioica 'Alex Duguid', commonly known as 'Mountain Everlasting,' produces flowers that attract bees and other pollinating insects, which is beneficial for the garden ecosystem.
- Drought Tolerance: Mountain Everlasting is naturally adapted to low-water conditions, making it suitable for xeriscaping and low-maintenance gardens in dry climates.
- Ground Cover: With its mat-forming habit, Mountain Everlasting is excellent for ground cover, helping to reduce soil erosion and suppress weeds.
- Cold Hardy: As a plant that can withstand cold temperatures, it is suitable for gardens in cooler climates where more delicate plants would not survive.
- Low Maintenance: Mountain Everlasting doesn't require frequent watering or fertilizing, making it an ideal plant for gardeners looking for low-maintenance options.
- Wildlife Habitat: The dense foliage can provide shelter for small wildlife, contributing to biodiversity in the garden.
- Aesthetic Appeal: The silvery foliage and white or pink flowers of the Mountain Everlasting can add contrast and interest to rock gardens and alpine settings.
- Non-Invasive: Unlike some ground covers, Mountain Everlasting does not aggressively spread, which means it’s less likely to take over areas outside its intended space.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Cushion Filler: The soft, dense foliage of Mountain Everlasting can be used as a natural stuffing material for small, decorative pillows or traditional dolls.
- Ground Cover: Due to its mat-forming habit, Mountain Everlasting serves well as a low-maintenance ground cover, perfect for rock gardens or filling spaces between stepping stones.
- Moth Repellent: The dried flowers can be used in potpourri or sachets to deter moths from closets and drawers, giving a pleasant scent while protecting clothing.
- Frost Indicator: The plant’s sensitivity to frost can be observed by gardeners as an early warning system for approaching cold weather to protect more vulnerable plants.
- Photography Prop: The attractive flowers of Mountain Everlasting make it a popular choice as a natural prop in garden photography and macro photography.
- Art Supplies: With their papery texture, the dried flowers and leaves can be used by artists and crafters in collages, papermaking, and pressed flower art.
- Garden Borders: This plant is often used to define the edges of garden beds and pathways, due to its low height and neat growth habit.
- Educational Resource: Botany courses or workshops may use Mountain Everlasting as an example plant when teaching about dioecious reproduction (plants with separate male and female flowers).
- Ecological Studies: Mountain Everlasting can be used in ecological research to study plant resilience in alpine or poor soil environments.
- Bee Attractant: The plant is known to attract bees and serves as a good resource for gardeners looking to support pollinators in the environment.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Mountain Everlasting is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Mountain Everlasting is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Everlasting Love: Antennaria dioica, commonly known as 'Mountain Everlasting', symbolizes enduring affection due to its long-lasting flowers that retain their shape and color when dried.
- Purity: The white color of 'Mountain Everlasting' blossoms is often associated with purity and innocence.
- Resilience: As a plant that thrives in the harsh conditions of mountainous terrains, 'Mountain Everlasting' represents the ability to persevere and remain strong through challenges.
- Healing: Historically, 'Mountain Everlasting' was used in folk medicine, which lends it an association with healing and recovery.
WaterThe Mountain Everlasting should be watered deeply but infrequently as they are drought-tolerant once established. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings to avoid waterlogging the roots. Typically, watering once a week with about one to two gallons of water, depending on weather conditions, is sufficient. During the peak growing season in spring and early summer, they might need more frequent watering, especially if there are extended periods of dry weather. Cut back on watering in the winter when the plant is dormant.
LightThe Mountain Everlasting thrives in full sun to partial shade. The best spot for this plant is a location where it can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. If you live in a particularly hot climate, providing some afternoon shade can help protect the plant from excessive heat.
TemperatureThe Mountain Everlasting is hardy and can tolerate a wide temperature range. It prefers cool to moderate climates and can survive minimum temperatures of -30 degrees Fahrenheit up to maximum temperatures of around 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Ideally, it grows best in temperatures that are typically between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
PruningPruning the Mountain Everlasting is beneficial for maintaining an attractive shape and encouraging healthy growth. Trim back the plant after flowering to remove spent blooms and to keep the foliage dense. The best time for pruning is late summer or early fall. This can be done annually or every couple of years, depending on the plant's appearance and health.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe Mountain Everlasting, Antennaria dioica 'Alex Duguid', thrives in well-draining soil with a mixture of sand, loam, and organic matter. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 5.5 and 7.0. An ideal mix could be 60% loam, 30% sand, and 10% compost to provide nutrients and ensure proper drainage.
RepottingMountain Everlasting plants don't require frequent repotting as they are relatively slow-growing. They should be repotted every 2-3 years or when they outgrow their current container, ensuring minimal disturbance to their root system during the process.
Humidity & MistingMountain Everlasting prefers a dry to moderate humidity level. It's adapted to environments that do not have high humidity, reflecting its tolerance for drier conditions typically found in its native alpine and subalpine habitats.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Provide full sun, well-draining soil, and infrequent watering.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-drained soil, and space 6-12 inches apart.
Hardiness zone
3-8 USDA
Life cycleThe Mountain Everlasting (Antennaria dioica 'Alex Duguid') begins as a seed, released from the parent plant's fluffy seed heads and dispersed by the wind. Upon finding suitable soil, the seeds germinate into small rosettes close to the ground, a process that typically occurs in spring or early summer. As a perennial, the plant then enters a vegetative stage, during which it develops a network of stolons, allowing it to spread and form dense, mat-forming patches. When mature, usually in the second year following germination, the Mountain Everlasting produces flowers, with male and female flowers typically on separate plants in late spring to early summer. After pollination, often by insects, the female plants produce seeds that mature by late summer. The cycle is completed when these seeds are dispersed, and the plant itself may die back in parts during the winter but will reemerge from its rootstock the following season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring to Summer
The most popular method of propagation for Antennaria dioica 'Alex Duguid', commonly known as Mountain Everlasting or Catsfoot, is through division. The best time to do this is either in the spring or early fall. To propagate by division, carefully dig up an established clump and gently separate it into smaller sections, ensuring that each new piece has a portion of the root system attached. Replant these divisions promptly into well-draining soil, spacing them approximately 6 to 12 inches (about 15 to 30 centimeters) apart to give each new plant enough room to grow. Water them well after planting to help establish the divisions. This method is effective because it maintains the clonal characteristics of the parent plant and allows for a quick establishment of new plants.
