Cerastium tomentosum

Snow in Summer

Plant Type:

SUN PERENNIALS

Cerastium tomentosum - Stems covered in small silver-gray simple leaves coated with little white hairs will ground cover happily in impoverished soil. Late spring/early summer white summer flowers adorn the stems and coat the top of the silver-gray mound suggesting a coat of pure white snow, the combination clean and light. Its common name is Snow in Summer. As many as 15 florets may be supported by a single stem. We find this perennial a little treasure. Said to be a short-lived perennial our has lived for 20 years in the same location with no help of any sort. Also said to be a potential garden thug ours has spread some but has remained more or less in place without culling. Spilling over the top of a stone wall or a carpet in a rock garden Cerastium tomentosum is a lowly plant of great merit. It is simply grown in full, blazing sun in scrabbled mix with no amenities. Found in Italy and Sicily. Folks in North Carolina should avoid this plant as it has, apparently, proven to be somewhat invasive there. Established potted Snow in Summer.


Height:

4-6 in

Spread:

8-12 in

Colors:

White

Characteristics and Attributes for Cerastium tomentosum

Season of Interest (Flowering)

  • Summer

Season of Interest (Foliage)

  • Spring / Summer / Autumn

Light

  • Full Sun

Attributes

  • Drought Tolerant
  • Rock Garden
  • Edging
  • Natural Garden
  • Bank

Growth Rate in the Garden

  • Medium

Soil

  • Scrabbled
  • Sandy
  • Average
  • Draining

Origins

  • Italy

Propagated By

  • Cutting Grown