Mountain everlasting (Antennaria dioica)

Mountain everlasting (Antennaria dioica) is a perennial plant that can grow up to 10cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Mountain everlasting (Antennaria dioica).

This plant has several common names including: mountain everlasting, cat’s ear, cat’s foot, moor everlasting, mountain cat’s foot, mountain cudweed or purple mountain cottonweed.

This is a semi-evergreen plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: mountain everlasting, cat’s ear, cat’s foot, moor everlasting, mountain cat’s foot, mountain cudweed, purple mountain cottonweed
Scientific name: Antennaria dioica
Plant type: Perennials
Habit: Mat forming
Height: Up to 10cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Semi-evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: Patio & Container Garden, Rock & Gravel Garden
Planting type: Cut Flowers, Ground Cover, Low Maintenance

Seasonal colors

How to plant Mountain everlasting (Antennaria dioica) – Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Perennial plants are one of the largest groups of plants.

They offer color, shape, fragrance and seasonal textures. The variety is such that there are plants to suit all sizes and styles of garden.

Traditionally, perennials are grown in borders, using a wall or hedge as a backdrop to bring out all their splendor during summer.

But since most gardens are not large enough for long borders dedicated exclusively to perennials, they are usually planted in mixed borders and beds, along with shrubs, annuals, biennials, and bulbs that extend the season of interest.

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Mountain everlasting (Antennaria dioica), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Mountain everlasting (Antennaria dioica) is not a demanding plant regarding the type of soil and can grow in chalk, loam or sand.

• The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.

• The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.

• Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.

It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.

Regarding drainage, Antennaria dioica likes to grow in well drained soil.

Sunlight

Mountain everlasting (Antennaria dioica) should be grown in full sun places.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Mountain everlasting (Antennaria dioica) – Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons