Gardening Flowers Perennials How to Plant and Grow Snow-in-Summer This low-growing perennial is grown for both its pretty summer blooms and its silvery leaves. By Hollyanna McCollom Hollyanna McCollom Hollyanna McCollom is a writer and editor with more than 15 years of experience. As a freelance writer, she specializes in food, pop culture, wellness, DIY craft, and sustainable living. She is the author of the Moon Portland travel guide (now in its 4th edition) and previously served as editor-in-chief of PDX Magazine, as well as the editorial lead for several other small publications and projects. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on April 25, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Where to Plant Planting Tips Care Pests and Problems Propagation Types Companion Plants Veronica FAQ Trending Videos Close this video player Blankets of sparkling small white flowers from late spring to early summer give snow-in-summer, a tough perennial groundcover, its name. After the blooms fade, the plant's woolly silver foliage remains; it can handle some of the harshest droughts and is hardy in Zones 3-10. However, careful pruning and maintenance are needed to control this sometimes weedy plant. 15 Types of Groundcover You Can Walk on for a Pretty Garden Path Snow-in-Summer Overview Genus Name Cerastium tomentosum Common Name Snow-in-Summer Plant Type Perennial Light Sun Height 6 to 12 inches Width 10 to 18 inches Flower Color White Foliage Color Gray/Silver Season Features Spring Bloom, Summer Bloom Special Features Good for Containers, Low Maintenance Zones 10, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Propagation Division, Seed Problem Solvers Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Slope/Erosion Control Where to Plant Snow-in-Summer Snow-in-summer provides a sturdy option for adding botanicals to the cracks of retaining walls and between the stones in a rock garden. It also works in sunny spaces as a ground cover and can be used as a floral accent to stone walls or as a fill-in where spring bulbs have stopped blooming. Snow-in-summer prefers mild temperatures and is salt-tolerant, so it's a good plant for seaside locations. It is not classified as invasive but can grow weedy in areas with cooler summer climates where the plant is more robust. 15 Pretty, Salt-Tolerant Greenery Options for Coastal Planting How and When to Plant Snow-in-Summer Plant snow-in-summer from seedlings in early spring or start seeds indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost. Dig a hole slightly larger than the plant’s growing container and just deep enough that the plant will be able to sit at the same height in the ground as it did in its pot. If you are planting more than one plant, space them about 12 to 24 inches apart to prevent overcrowding. If you are concerned about it spreading to other parts of your yard, add in-ground landscape edging ($54, Home Depot) to a depth of about 5 to 6 inches around your snow-in summer plants to keep them corralled. Snow-in-Summer Care Tips Snow in summer can be temperamental in a less-than-ideal environment. However, in areas with favorable conditions and moderate summer temperatures, snow-in-summer will spread (sometimes prolifically) via self-seeding and runners. Prune regularly and watch out for unexpected volunteer sprouts to keep your plant under control. Light For the brightest silver foliage, make sure your snow-in-summer gets full sun. Anything less runs the risk of rot, the foliage becomes more gray-green, and the plant gets leggy. Soil and Water Because snow-in-summer is native to dry, rocky areas, drainage should be a priority when growing this plant. The plant's roots may rot if the soil stays wet for long periods, and it doesn't do well in rainy places. What to Know About Well-Drained Soil and Boosting Plant Drainage Temperature and Humidity Snow-in-summer doesn't handle high humidity and summer heat well, especially if the plant remains wet. Consider this plant a short-lived perennial or even an annual if you plan on growing it in a warmer climate. Fertilizer Because snow-in-summer does well in all types of soil (except very wet soil), it doesn't need fertilizer. If you're not happy with how your plant is performing, you can add a high-phosphorous product, following manufacturer's directions, before the plant blooms to give it a boost. Why Are Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium in Plant Fertilizer? Pruning Pruning is crucial to controlling the spread of snow-in-summer. One way to prevent the spread is to remove spent blooms (and any potential seeds) right after the plant flowers. In addition, because snow-in-summer typically finishes flowering all at once, you can trim back the whole plant at one time. Regular trimming also keeps the foliage compact instead of long and leggy. Snow-in-summer spreads by runners, too, so keep them trimmed to prevent unwanted growth. Pests and Problems Snow-in-summer's most significant problems are root rot from too-damp soil and fungal diseases caused by too much damp air. Control both of these to minimize issues. How to Propagate Snow-in-Summer As this plant ages, it may die out in the middle. Remedy the situation with propagation by digging up the plant, dividing it, and replanting it. Snow-in-summer can be propagated from seeds. Sow seeds 12 inches apart in early spring on top of garden soil, cover with a sprinkling of soil, and they'll germinate in a few weeks. However, they won't flower for another year. 17 Deer-Resistant Shade Plants That Will Brighten Up Your Garden Types of Snow-in-Summer 'Silver Carpet' Snow-in-Summer In spring and summer, Cerastium tomentosum has bright silver foliage topped with bright white blooms. Zones 3-7. Snow-in-Summer Companion Plants Dianthus Denny Schrock Pinks are treasured for their grasslike foliage and abundant starry flowers, which are often spicily fragrant. Depending on the type of pink, flowers appear in spring or summer and tend to be pink, red, white, rose, or lavender, but come in nearly all shades except true blue. Plants range from tiny creeping groundcovers to 30-inch-tall cut flowers. Foliage is blue-green. Zones 3-10 Veronica Marty Baldwin Easy and undemanding, veronicas catch the eye in sunny gardens over many months. Some have mats with loose clusters of saucer-shaped flowers, while others group their star or tubular flowers into erect tight spikes. A few veronicas bring elusive blue to the garden, but more often, the flowers are purplish or violet blue, rosy pink, or white. Zones 3-11 Yucca Lee Anne White A yucca in bloom produces spires of large, bird-attracting white flowers in summer and fall. The evergreen rosettes of stiff, sharply pointed leaves are often variegated with cream or white. Use them at the end of a walkway, mass them as a barrier, or plant them as accents throughout the border. Site away from paths or other places people could be scratched by their sharp leaves. Zones 3-10 Frequently Asked Questions Is there anything I can do, besides pruning, to prevent the spread of snow-in-summer? Dig a 5-inch deep and wide edge around your snow-in-summer plant to help prevent it from spreading beyond your chosen location or install a barrier to keep it contained. Why isn't my snow-in-summer blooming? The most likely reason for a lack of blooms is planting snow-in-summer in the wrong place. This alpine plant won't do well in tropical or desert environments. Does snow-in-summer attract pollinators? Yes, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are drawn to snow-in-summer's white flowers, which are an important source of nectar for them. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. Cerastium tomentosum. Cerastium tomentosum (Dusty Miller, Jerusalem Star, Snow-in-summer, Snow Plant, Wooly Mouse-Ear Chickweed) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox.