Howell’s Pussytoes: A Native Wildflower Worth Knowing
If you’re looking to add authentic North American native plants to your garden, Howell’s pussytoes (Antennaria howellii neodioica) might just be the understated charmer you’ve been searching for. This perennial wildflower belongs to the fascinating world of native forbs – those herbaceous plants that add texture and ecological value without the woody stems of shrubs or trees.
What Makes Howell’s Pussytoes Special?
Howell’s pussytoes is a true North American native, with an impressively wide range that spans from coast to coast. This hardy perennial has earned its place in the native plant community through centuries of adaptation to diverse climates and conditions.
Where Does It Call Home?
Talk about a well-traveled plant! Howell’s pussytoes has one of the most extensive native ranges you’ll find. In Canada, it grows across provinces from British Columbia to Newfoundland, including Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and even the Northwest Territories.
In the United States, this adaptable native can be found in an remarkable number of states: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
The Forb Life: Understanding Its Growth Habit
As a forb, Howell’s pussytoes represents that wonderful middle ground in the plant world. It’s not a grass, and it’s not woody – instead, it’s a vascular plant that stays relatively soft and herbaceous. Think of forbs as the backbone of wildflower meadows and prairie ecosystems. They’re the plants that add diversity, color, and ecological richness to natural landscapes.
Why Consider Howell’s Pussytoes for Your Garden?
There are several compelling reasons to give this native plant a spot in your landscape:
- True native credentials: This isn’t a plant that’s close enough to native – it’s the real deal, with a range that covers most of North America
- Perennial reliability: Once established, you can count on it returning year after year
- Wide adaptability: Its extensive native range suggests it can handle diverse growing conditions
- Low-maintenance nature: As a native wildflower, it’s evolved to thrive without intensive care
- Ecological value: Native plants support local wildlife and ecosystem health
A Note on Growing Information
Here’s where things get a bit tricky – and honestly, a little frustrating for gardeners eager to grow this native beauty. Specific growing information for Howell’s pussytoes can be challenging to find, partly due to its complex taxonomic relationships with other Antennaria species. This plant is closely related to several other pussytoes varieties, and information sometimes gets mixed together in gardening resources.
What we do know is that as a widely distributed native perennial forb, it’s likely quite adaptable to various growing conditions within its natural range. If you’re located within its native territory, there’s a good chance your local soil and climate conditions will suit it just fine.
The Bottom Line for Gardeners
Howell’s pussytoes represents the kind of native plant that serious native gardeners appreciate: authentic, widespread, and ecologically valuable. While specific growing guides might be scarce, its extensive natural range suggests it’s a tough, adaptable plant that could be a valuable addition to native plant gardens, naturalized areas, or wildflower meadows.
If you’re interested in growing Howell’s pussytoes, your best bet is to connect with local native plant societies, extension offices, or specialized native plant nurseries in your area. They’ll have the regional knowledge to help you succeed with this authentic piece of North American flora.
Sometimes the most rewarding native plants are the ones that require a bit of detective work to grow successfully – and Howell’s pussytoes definitely falls into that category!
