This plant appeared in my garden with some native plants I collected during a salvage last year in Saanich B.C. I can't seem to find anything quite like in my Pojar McKinnon, and I wonder if it isn't the common, cerastium tomentosum, 'Snow in Summer'. There were a few garden escapees among the native plants on this site. The plant is still small but seems to have a low creeping nature. Did not flower last year.
That reminds me of the growing tip of Anaphalis margaritacea (Pearly Everlasting) with its distinctive mid-vein on the leaves. It will be interesting to watch it grow this year to see if it maintains a low creeping habit or if it grows taller. Since Anaphalis spreads by rhizomes, it would be easy to pick up a bit of root when you collected other plants. If it IS Pearly Everlasting, a common BC native plant, be careful to place it where it will not spread where you don't want it.
Thanks for your reply. Yes, the leaves are similar. So far mine appears to have more of a creeping habit. Too bad. I would have liked to have some Pearly Everlasting.
Thanks Andrey. I think I might pot it up and keep it aside in case it turns out to be a native, but so far it has a more of prostrate than upright posture.
Looking at the new shoots on my Anaphalis margaritacea, I think you are correct that your mystery plant is not Pearly Everlasting. Your mention of Cerastium tomentosum (Snow-in-Summer) made me wonder if you've checked the native Cerastium arvense (Field Chickweed). There are some good photos on E-Flora BC.
Hmmm, Leaves are also hairy on the Cerastium tomentosum, but not grey/blue like mine. I think I will keep this in a pot and see what it becomes.
