Antennaria aprica ‘Alba’
Antennaria aprica ‘Alba’, commonly known as Spring Pussytoes, is a charming, low-growing alpine perennial ideal for sunny rock gardens, troughs, and gravel beds. This easy-care plant forms a silvery carpet of foliage, topped in spring by small, fluffy white flower heads that resemble soft cat’s paws. Drought-tolerant and ground-hugging, it is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for attractive, low-maintenance cover in dry, well-drained conditions.
Quick Facts
Type: Evergreen perennial (alpine)
Common Name: Spring Pussytoes
Flower Colour: White
Height: 10cm (0.3ft)
Spread: 40cm (1.3ft)
Flowering Time: June to August
Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -20 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H7)
Position: Full sun
Soil: Free-draining, sandy or gritty soil; thrives in poor, dry soil
Fluffy Spring Flowers
The defining feature of Antennaria aprica ‘Alba’ is its soft, cottony white flowers which appear in spring on short stems above the foliage. The flower heads are dense and slightly tufted, resembling miniature cat’s paws – a quality that gives the plant its charming common name. These blooms add gentle texture and brightness to spring rockery displays and are a hit with early pollinators.
Soft Silvery Foliage
Even when not in flower, this plant earns its place with its attractive, evergreen leaves. The low, spreading rosettes of silver-grey foliage create a soft ground cover that contrasts well with darker greens and bolder flowering plants. The felty texture of the leaves also gives a tactile quality to planting schemes.
Excellent for Ground Cover and Edging
Due to its neat, spreading habit and tolerance of poor soils, Antennaria aprica ‘Alba’ is ideal for carpeting small areas or creeping between paving stones and gravel. It also makes a superb edging plant for sunny borders, especially where soil is dry or nutrient-poor. It’s well-suited to alpine troughs, containers, and green roofs too.
Drought-Tolerant and Easy to Grow
This is a plant for gardeners who want something pretty but undemanding. Once established, Antennaria ‘Alba’ is highly drought-tolerant and requires virtually no feeding. It copes well with heat and sun, making it a valuable addition to Mediterranean-style or xeriscape gardens.
Growing Tips
Watering: Water well after planting. Thereafter, only water during extended dry spells.
Feeding: Avoid rich soil or high-nitrogen fertilisers. A handful of grit or compost in spring is more than enough.
Pruning: No regular pruning needed. Trim spent flowers if desired to tidy up.
Potted: Excellent in alpine containers and shallow troughs; ensure excellent drainage.
Propagation: Easily propagated by division in autumn or early spring.
Fully Hardy and Resilient
Antennaria aprica ‘Alba’ is fully hardy in UK gardens and can withstand frost and snow, provided drainage is sharp. In wetter climates, plant on a slope or raised bed to avoid winter rot.
Companion Planting Ideas
Pair this low grower with other drought-tolerant and sun-loving alpines, such as:
Together, these create a colourful, textured planting scheme ideal for sunny, low-maintenance spaces.
Why Choose Antennaria aprica ‘Alba’?
For everyday gardeners who want a plant that combines beauty with resilience, Antennaria aprica ‘Alba’ ticks all the boxes. With its silvery leaves, fluffy spring flowers, and ground-hugging habit, it’s a must-have for rockeries, alpine gardens, and drought-prone spots.
Add a touch of softness and sparkle to your spring garden with this compact, care-free perennial.
Buying Perennials from Jacksons Nurseries
At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our perennials after flowering and trim them back at the end of the season to ensure that the plants remain neat and tidy whilst in the pot. The more tender the plant the less we cut back to help protect exposed stems from winter frost. Depending on the plant variety we will then prune back further in spring once the risk of the more severe frosts is over.
As a result, depending on the time of year you buy perennials, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.
From late autumn onwards and dependent on variety, there may be very little visible above the soil except for a few cut back dormant leaves or stems. It is perfectly normal for dormant plants to look like this from autumn onwards, they will however burst back into life in spring.
Availability: Stock availability figures are provided as a guide only. There is a delay between orders being placed and the plants being gathered by our pulling team. During this time it may be possible for a member of the public to purchase these plants from our Garden Centre, while this is rare it is a possibility and we will notify you of any problems as soon as possible. This figure may also include plants that have not yet be flagged as unsaleable.
Pre-order: Pre-order times are given as a guide only and may vary dependent on the growing season. Orders containing Pre-ordered products will be shipped as a single order when all items become available. Large orders may be part shipped, please contact us on 01782 502741 or email sales@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.
Perennials are described and classified differently by different gardeners but all would agree that they are plants that come into flower every year from early spring to late summer, the exact time dependent on variety and most die back to ground level in autumn and winter.
As for all plants, soil preparation is time well spent. Dig over the area to be planted ensuring that the ground is free draining. If not then you may wish to either consider planting in a different spot or raising the level of the planting area by adding additional topsoil, well rotted garden compost and/or well rotted manure. Add ‘Fish, Blood and Bone’ fertiliser or a high potash fertiliser to encourage good root growth and development.
It’s always a good idea to plant a few of the same plant together, we recommend planting in 3’s or 5’s to provide a bold effect but allowing them plenty of room to develop.
Always check eventual plant heights when planning borders to ensure that the taller plants are at the back (or at the centre of an island bed) followed by the medium and then smaller low growing plants.
Remember to deadhead perennials after flowering, trim back lightly in autumn as required to tidy the border and if necessary trim again in spring once the risk of heavy frost has passed.
If perennials get too big, start to flower less and less or if it seems to be dying off from the centre, consider dividing the plant but always check that the particular variety is happy to be divided and that you divide at the right time of year for the plant.
By using this simple guide and a little time, perennials can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.