Cerastium Species, Mouse-Ear Chickweed, Snow-in-Summer

Cerastium tomentosum

Family
Caryophyllaceae (kar-ree-oh-fil-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Cerastium (ker-RAS-tee-um)
Species
tomentosum (toh-men-TOH-sum)
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage
Succulent
Height
under 6 in. (15 cm)
Spacing
6-9 in. (15-22 cm)
9-12 in. (22-30 cm)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 2a: to -45.5 °C (-50 °F)
USDA Zone 2b: to -42.7 °C (-45 °F)
USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F)
USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F)
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Other Details
Category
Alpines and Rock Gardens
Groundcovers
Perennials
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Bronze
Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Bloom Characteristics
Bloom Size
Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
By dividing the rootball
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Seward, Alaska

Sitka, Alaska

Flagstaff, Arizona

Belvedere Tiburon, California

Clovis, California

Fairfield, California

Martinez, California

Penn Valley, California

San Jose, California

Waterbury, Connecticut

Wilmington, Delaware

Idaho Falls, Idaho

Irwin, Idaho

Rathdrum, Idaho

Chadwick, Illinois

Mount Prospect, Illinois

Saint Charles, Illinois

Greenville, Indiana

Louisville, Kentucky

Westbrook, Maine

Elkton, Maryland

Chicopee, Massachusetts

Norton, Massachusetts

Pepperell, Massachusetts

Bellaire, Michigan

Grand Haven, Michigan

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Montevideo, Minnesota

Florence, Mississippi

Marietta, Mississippi

Marshfield, Missouri

Fort Benton, Montana

Dayton, Nevada

Elko, Nevada

Las Vegas, Nevada

Berlin, New Hampshire

Epsom, New Hampshire

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Cato, New York

Jefferson, New York

Port Washington, New York

Staten Island, New York

Cincinnati, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio

Haviland, Ohio

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Mallorytown, Ontario

Baker City, Oregon

Klamath Falls, Oregon

Portland, Oregon

Jessup, Pennsylvania

Lewisburg, Pennsylvania

Milford, Pennsylvania

Norristown, Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Clarksville, Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

Manchester, Tennessee

Unicoi, Tennessee

Hereford, Texas

Farmington, Utah

South Jordan, Utah

Brewster, Washington

Buckley, Washington

CHIMACUM, Washington

MOXEE, Washington

Poulsbo, Washington

Spokane, Washington(2 reports)

Delavan, Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

17
positives
2
neutrals
0
negative
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K
K
| April 2018 | positive

We live in Australia and this plant is a great addition. It looks amazing all year round. In spring when its completely covered in those ...Read More

N
Dayton, NV | May 2016 | positive

I Live outside of Carson City NV. Desert living is VERY different from my No. CA Mountain living, and learning to grow in it has it's ow...Read More

S
Louisville, KY (Zone 6b) | May 2013 | positive

I have read very conflicting reports about this plant's ability to withstand heat an humidity. This is my second year growing it and so f...Read More

C
C
Lewisburg, PA (Zone 6b) | June 2012 | positive

The silvery wooly leaves and tremendous resilience of this plant are wonderful. I started a patch from seed and have since divided it all...Read More

T
Rathdrum, ID (Zone 5b) | June 2012 | positive

This plant is tough as nails and gorgeous. The largest mat of it is growing under an old crab apple in the center of a raised and sloping...Read More

L
| April 2012 | positive

This plant grows well in Merced, CA. Due to the gray appearance of its leave, I am hoping it will be deer resistant in Mariposa, CA. It g...Read More

F
| October 2011 | positive

This such a cheerful, pretty trailing/thickly sprawling plant,and so generous in its longevity! Softly tactile, silver grey leaves and t...Read More

L
Portland, OR (Zone 8b) | March 2010 | positive

Absolutely a no-fail ground cover, which is to say treat it like a ground cover, not a garden plant. I started mine by seed indoors last ...Read More

S
Norristown, PA (Zone 6b) | November 2009 | positive

This plant grows well is dry windy spots where others fail. It blooms reliably and spreads slowly.

S
Las Vegas, NV (Zone 9a) | May 2007 | positive

Las Vegas, NV
This plant does well in spite of our summer heat, providing it receives regular (daily in summer) watering and shade...Read More

Z
Cato, NY | May 2006 | positive

We have had this plant covering a small hillside that nothing else would grow in, and it's proven to be the right plant for the job. Duri...Read More

R
Oscoda, MI | May 2006 | positive

Upon moving into our recently renovated 1920's home in Oscoda MI, we needed to plant something that would grow without much fuss on the o...Read More

G
(Zone 5a) | January 2006 | positive

I love Snow-In-Summer for a contrast plant; it looks so nice next to a red or purple leaved plant. Light aids germination of seeds.
...Read More

M
M
Baker City, OR (Zone 5b) | February 2005 | positive

My single plant has grown to a mat of 25x35 inches, in full sun in a hot dry climate with regular watering. It might have done better if ...Read More

4
4
klamath falls, OR (Zone 6a) | November 2004 | positive

I have a large mound of this growing under a pine tree on a slope in front of my house. It's a pretty shady location, but it blooms OK. T...Read More

P
(Zone 8b) | August 2004 | neutral

A tough plant, snow in summers gives a great low water grey carpet in cooler zones. Will not tolerate excessive heat or humidity. Its sm...Read More

W
| June 2004 | positive

An old perennial favorite, they are the silver-gray back drop to my Tiger and Asiatic lilies and bulbs. It comes back from slumber ready...Read More

I
Epsom, NH | September 2003 | positive

This is an awesome plant for those who are not limited by space! Here in New Hampshire USA, I have never watered it, and it grows in bot...Read More

K
Dallas, TX (Zone 8a) | August 2001 | neutral

Snow-In-Summer is mat-forming, and is known for it's profuse blooming in late spring/early summer. Dainty, white flowers, with wooly, whi...Read More

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