Cerastium Tomentosum: The Charming Snow-in-Summer
If you're looking for a beautiful, low-maintenance plant to brighten up your garden, meet Cerastium tomentosum—commonly known as Snow-in-Summer. This delightful perennial is a favorite among gardeners for its lush, silvery foliage and delicate white flowers that bloom in early summer.
Native to rocky slopes in southern Europe, Snow-in-Summer thrives in sunny spots with well-drained soil. It’s perfect for rock gardens, borders, or even spilling over stone walls. The plant forms a soft, mat-like ground cover, growing only about 6 inches tall but spreading up to 18 inches wide. Its leaves are covered in fine white hairs, giving them a fuzzy, silvery appearance that looks stunning even when the plant isn’t in bloom.
From late spring to early summer, Cerastium tomentosum bursts into bloom with clusters of tiny, star-shaped white flowers. Each flower has five notched petals, creating a delicate, snow-like effect—hence the name. The blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, adding life and movement to your garden.
One of the best things about Snow-in-Summer is how easy it is to care for. It’s drought-tolerant once established, making it ideal for xeriscaping or dry gardens. It doesn’t like wet, soggy soil, so avoid overwatering. A light trim after flowering helps keep the plant tidy and encourages fresh growth.
This hardy plant grows well in USDA zones 3 to 9, surviving cold winters and hot summers with ease. It can be grown from seeds or cuttings and spreads slowly by rooting at the nodes, but it’s not invasive.
Cerastium tomentosum is also deer and rabbit resistant, so you won’t have to worry about hungry wildlife nibbling it away.
In summary, Snow-in-Summer is a garden gem—beautiful, tough, and fuss-free. Whether you're a beginner gardener or a seasoned pro, this little plant brings charm and color with minimal effort. Add it to your garden and enjoy a soft blanket of "snow" every summer.