WSU Clark County Extension
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Snow-in-Summer

Scientific name: Cerastium tomentosum
Taxonomy
Family:Caryophyllaceae
Type:Groundcovers evergreen
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:3 to 8
Sun:Full sun
Plant Characteristics
Height:0 ft
Width:3 ft
Bloom:Showy flowers
Bloom Time:May to June
Bloom Color:White
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Northwest gardeners enjoy Snow-in-Summer in the month of May when this low growing groundcover is smothered in masses of showy snow-white flowers resembling a mound of snow.

  Morphology:
Snow-in-summer is a herbaceous mat-forming perennial ground cover that typically grows 6” tall but can spread to a width of 3’. Leaves are 1” long by only a quarter inch wide and are silvery grey green in color. The leaves are covered in fine-textured, whitish hairs.

In mid-May flower stems arise and grow to a height of 12” bearing white flowers with 5 notched petals. Flowers are up to 1” in diameter.

  Adaptation:
This species does best in sandy, well-drained soil. It prefers full sun conditions. After the bloom fades the foliage can be sheared if so desired.

  Pests:
Root rot can limit the growth of Snow-in-Summer if the ground is excessively wet.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234