Trustpilot Excellent Image

Antennaria Rubra

Antennaria Rubra

Pink Pussytoes

£4.99
14498
22 item(s)
+
Wishlist

At a Glance

Antennaria rubra

Antennaria rubra, commonly known as Red Pussytoes, is a striking and easy-going alpine perennial, admired for its rosy-pink to deep red flower heads and neat, silvery foliage. A wonderful choice for rockeries, gravel gardens, and dry, sunny borders, this mat-forming plant brings both texture and vibrant spring colour to small garden spaces. It’s perfect for low-maintenance areas where reliable ground cover and seasonal interest are needed.

 

Quick Facts

Type: Evergreen perennial (alpine)
Common Name: Red Pussytoes
Flower Colour: Pink to deep rose-red
Height: 15cm (0.5ft)
Spread: 45cm (1.5ft)
Flowering Time: May to June
Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -15 to -10 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H5)
Position: Full sun
Soil: Well-drained, gritty or sandy soil; thrives in poor, dry conditions

 

Cheerful Spring Blooms

Antennaria rubra produces compact clusters of small, fluffy flower heads in shades of soft pink to rich red. These eye-catching blooms appear in late spring, held just above the foliage on short, slender stems. The flowers have a soft, woolly appearance, giving rise to the common name ‘Pussytoes’. They are lightly attractive to pollinators and provide a welcome splash of colour in rock gardens and alpine troughs.

 

Attractive Silvery Foliage

Even outside of flowering season, this plant continues to shine thanks to its dense mat of silvery-grey leaves. The foliage is evergreen and forms a low, spreading cushion, helping to suppress weeds while adding subtle contrast to bolder colours in the garden. The soft texture of the leaves adds visual and tactile interest year-round.

 

Ideal for Rockeries and Dry Borders

With its low height and spreading nature, Antennaria rubra is a top choice for planting in gravel beds, rockeries, walls, or as edging along dry pathways. It’s particularly well-suited to alpine displays or sunny borders where space is limited and soil is free-draining. It also makes a lovely filler between paving stones or in troughs and containers.

 

Drought-Tolerant and Low Maintenance

This is a plant for gardeners who want dependable performance without constant upkeep. Once settled, Antennaria rubra is extremely drought-tolerant and thrives in poor soil. It requires little to no feeding and rarely suffers from pests or diseases. Its tidy growth means there’s no need for pruning, and it can be left to slowly spread into a soft, silvery carpet.

 

Growing Tips

Watering: Water well during the first season to establish roots. Thereafter, water sparingly.
Feeding: Not required in poor or moderately fertile soil. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds.
Pruning: No regular pruning needed. Trim spent flowers if desired.
Potted: Excellent in containers, alpine troughs, or shallow pots with good drainage.
Propagation: Easy to divide in spring or autumn if you wish to expand your planting.

 

Fully Hardy and Weather Resistant

Antennaria rubra is fully hardy throughout the UK and can cope with cold winters as long as the soil is free-draining. In particularly wet areas, consider planting in a raised bed or slope to ensure the crown remains dry in winter.

 

Companion Planting Ideas

Antennaria rubra pairs beautifully with other drought-tolerant, sun-loving alpines and low-growing perennials, such as:

These companions help build soft, colourful displays that thrive with minimal intervention.

 

Why Choose Antennaria rubra?

For gardeners seeking a reliable and eye-catching ground cover plant that thrives in sun and poor soil, Antennaria rubra is a standout choice. Its combination of silvery foliage and pink-red flowers brings both texture and charm to any small space, rockery, or dry border.

Plant Antennaria rubra for effortless colour and all-season ground cover in even the driest corners of your garden.

Buying Alpines from Jacksons Nurseries

At Jacksons Nurseries we lightly trim back our alpines after flowering 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 alpines, they may not look like images showing their ‘prime time’ in flower and looking at their best.

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 orders@jacksonsnurseries.co.uk.

From late autumn onwards and dependant 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.

Alpines are a group of perennials that  generally grow in rocky conditions at high altitudes.

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.

By using this simple guide and a little time, alpines can make an absolutely spectacular difference to your garden.

6185
£3.99
Great all round feed for plants, vegetables and flowers in gardens and inside the home. Packed with nutrients for healthy flowers &...
Out of stock
Wishlist

6193
£21.99
10kg tub
Ready to use Helps build soil fertility Encourages strong, healthy growth Increases crop yield Nutrient Content - NPK 4-7-4 A...
Out of stock
Wishlist
560
£9.99
2 Litre pot
Halcyon is one of the best blue-leaved hostas available. It has heart-shaped leaves when mature, growing best in shady sites. The foliage is complimented by...
In stock
+
Wishlist
472
£9.99
2 Litre pot
Striking, ivy-like, heart-shaped leaves with wide, irregular margins of red, bronze, cream and yellow that contrast well with the otherwise green leaf...
In stock
+
Wishlist

No posts found

Write a Review
  Size Availability Price  
Antennaria Rubra 9cm pot
In stock
£4.99
Antennaria 1.3-2 Litre pot
£4.99
Out of stock

You may also like