Skip Spreading Mulch: This Beautiful Plant Suppresses Weeds And Looks Stunning

Mulching is an important way to suppress weeds in a garden and in landscape beds that might border your yard. Whether you choose organic mulches such as pine straw, leaves, or bark chips in gardens, or perhaps inorganic alternatives like stones, these all have their pros and cons. While some people like its aesthetic appeal, others may be more concerned with finding and using the right type of mulch that can also prevent soil erosion and moisture evaporation in addition to managing weeds. If you're in the latter camp, you do have options outside of mulching, such as planting ground covers. Plantain-leaf pussytoes (Antennaria plantaginifolia) are one such ground cover that arguably looks more attractive than mulch while working to keep weeds to a minimum.

Also known as plantain pussytoes, this plant is native to the eastern U.S. and is identifiable by its grayish-green foliage and large leaves. It gets its name from its clusters of mostly white flowers that look like cat paws. As a bonus, this ground cover isn't invasive or aggressive like other plants of this nature, such as English ivy. In fact, plantain pussytoes grows slowly via stolons that spread on top of the surface of your garden soil. This means you can enjoy the weed-suppressive qualities of plantain pussytoes without worrying about it taking over other nearby plants. It's also fantastic for garden weed management thanks to its low-lying location. Ground covers like plantain pussytoes essentially rob any would-be weeds of the water, sunlight, and oxygen they otherwise need to thrive.

If you're ready to get started with adding plantain pussytoes to your outdoor spaces in lieu of mulch, you'll need to keep a few key tips in mind. First, plantain-leaf pussytoes are considered hardy in USDA zones 3 to 8. They also prefer a spot in your yard or garden that gets full sun. The plant doesn't care for too much water, and it thrives best in dry or slightly moist soil. Despite its ability to thrive in drought-like conditions, plantain pussytoes does best in soils that are sandy, clay-based, or rocky without much additional organic matter.

You can expect this perennial to grow up to two feet wide when it spreads over the ground, but it only tops out at six inches tall. Space new plants at least 15 inches apart to give them space to spread, which will help them work just as well as other solid ground covers. Once they've been established, the plants will create a mat-like covering and will help suppress weeds year-round. Plantain pussytoes bloom in the spring, and they support important pollinating species during this time, including birds, butterflies, and bees.