Antennaria - cat's paw

In folk language, this plant is called "cat's paw". The flower buds of this herb at the end of flowering look like paws. This is one of the few plants that anyone can grow. There are no special requirements for the care of the antenna. You can safely purchase this attractive flower.

This plant is considered to be hardy, beautiful and humble. It grows in any soil and in completely different areas. If you have a piece of land left on which nothing grows, then this place was created specifically for the antenna. She loves heat and prolonged sunshine, can grow on rocks and sand. It can be planted as a decorative decoration of the yard or garden area. She can decorate the most unsightly areas with her fluffy flower rug.

Antennaria - cat's paw: care and cultivation of a flower

Choosing a landing site

Antennaria grows poorly in the shade, and in partial shade the plant will reach for the light and, as a result, the bushes will be elongated. Heat, direct sunlight and a dry climate are what the plant needs. In such areas, the antennae will look like a compact plant decoration.

Soil requirements

This herb needs a slightly acidic soil. When choosing a site, flower growers without experience will be able to easily determine the acidity of the soil by the plants that grow on it. Look for a plot of land that has excellent plants such as quinoa and nettles. They have the same soil requirements as the antennae.

This garden plant needs the poorest (poorest) sandy soil. No other soil will suit him, and even more fertile.

Watering rules

Although this plant is called drought-resistant in plant growing manuals, it needs regular watering. It is very important not to exceed the watering rate, overflows are undesirable for the plant.

Reproduction of antennae

Antennaria is a unique plant in many ways, even in the number of ways of reproduction. A cat's paw can reproduce: by cuttings, seeds, seedlings, dividing the bush and rhizomes.

• It is better to propagate the plant by dividing the bush in early spring or late autumn. In this way, you can not only increase the number of plants, but also rejuvenate the garden or the area on which the antennae bushes grow. After all, young plants already in the third year of their existence lose their decorative qualities and the carpet of "cat's paws" is no longer as thick and fluffy as before.
• A very effective way is to cut shoots. Since these shoots have already been able to take root over the summer, it will not be difficult to use them for reproduction.
• The root division method is also not difficult. Gardeners recommend using this type of reproduction in the autumn.
• It is not always possible to grow seedlings from antennae seeds. Seed germination is low, seedling development is slow.If you managed to grow it, then plant it on your land plot only in June, not earlier. Leave a distance of about twenty-five centimeters between the seedlings. In the open field, it grows very quickly. Only here you can not wait for flowering in the first year. With this method of reproduction, the plant will bloom next year.

The active flowering of antennae, depending on the selected variety, begins in June or July, and at the end of the summer season, fruits ripen on the plants.

Pests and diseases

The plant is able to resist harmful insects and various diseases. This garden beauty is only occasionally attacked by voracious caterpillars, aphids or spider mites. Like many plants, it can get sick with powdery mildew, rust, or spotting.

Types and varieties of antennae

The plant has many species and varieties, which are distinguished by their hardiness and frost resistance, originality and the ability to grow under the scorching sun. Fluffy rugs in pink or white against a backdrop of green vegetation look amazing. Not all growers appreciated the antenna at its true worth, but among its many species there are especially beautiful representatives.

"Alpine" antenna

It is a perennial plant that grows well in poor soil. Forms lush, creeping on the ground, bushes with white flowers. This species has small grayish leaves and small peduncles (about 15 centimeters). The plant blooms throughout the summer.

"Dioecious" antenna

It is very hardy and the most common species. The flowering period lasts for two months - from the second half of May to almost the end of July. This species is well known to professional growers. Shrubs of small height (about 15 centimeters) have creeping shoots that "creep away" in different directions for a distance of up to half a meter and root well on a new piece of land. This type of antennae blooms with white or pink flowers of very small size.

The plant perfectly tolerates severe cold and frost. He does not need shelter for the winter.

"Plantain-leaved" antennae

This species is one of the tallest. The height of the shrub can reach forty centimeters. The plant got its name for the shape of the leaves, which are very reminiscent of plantain. They are also assembled into an outlet. Not afraid of cold weather and frost, does not need shelter. It grows very quickly in any area. This tall shrub can drown out nearby plants. Unpretentious.