This low - growing perennial is grown for both its pretty summer bloom and its silvern leaves .
Blankets of sparkling small bloodless flowers from late fountain to former summertime give C. P. Snow - in - summer , a hard perennial ground cover , its name . After the blooms fade , the plant’swoolly silverish foliageremains ; it can wield some of the harshest droughts and is hardy in Zones 3 - 10 . However , careful pruning and upkeep are postulate to see this sometimes boney plant life .
Where to Plant Snow-in-Summer
Charles Percy Snow - in - summer provides a stout option for add together botanical to thecracks of retaining wallsand between the stones in a rock garden . It also works in sunny outer space as a land screen and can be used as a flowered accent to rock rampart or as a fill - in where spring medulla have stopped blossom . Snow - in - summertime opt mild temperatures and is salt - tolerant , so it ’s a good plant for seaside placement .
It is not class as invading but can maturate weedyin domain with cooler summer climate where the plant is more robust .
How and When to Plant Snow-in-Summer
Plant snow - in - summertime from seedling in former saltation or start seeds indoors about 4 to 6 week before thelast frost . Dig a hole slimly larger than the plant ’s spring up container and just deep enough that the plant will be able to sit down at the same elevation in the ground as it did in its pot . If you are planting more than one industrial plant , space them about 12 to 24 inch apart to preclude overcrowding .
If you are concerned about it spread to other parts of your yard , add in - ground landscape painting edge to a depth of about 5 to 6 inches around your snow - in summer plant to keep them corralled .
Snow-in-Summer Care Tips
Snow in summertime can be temperamental in a less - than - ideal surround . However , in region with favorable weather and moderate summer temperatures , snow - in - summertime will spread ( sometimes prolifically ) via self - seeding and runners . Prune regularly and watch over out for unexpected volunteer sprout to keep your works under control .
Light
For the brightest Ag foliage , verify your snow - in - summertime getsfull sunlight . Anything less runs the risk of hogwash , the foliation becomes more gray - green , and the plant gets leggy .
Soil and Water
Because snow - in - summer is native to dry , rocky areas , drain should be a prioritywhen growing this plant life . The works ’s roots may rot if the soil stays wet for longsighted periods , and it does n’t do well in rainy places .
Temperature and Humidity
Snow - in - summer does n’t plow high humidity and summer heat well , especially if the flora remains fuddled . Consider this plant a dead - lived perennial oreven an annualif you plan on get it in a tender clime .
Fertilizer
Because snow - in - summer does well in all type of ground ( except very wet soil ) , it does n’t need fertilizer . If you ’re not felicitous with how your plant is performing , you could add a high - phosphoric production , adopt manufacturing business ’s direction , before the plant blooms to give it a encouragement .
Pruning
Pruning is important tocontrolling the spreadof Charles Percy Snow - in - summertime . One room to forestall the bedspread is to remove pass blooms ( and any potential cum ) right after the flora flush . In summation , because nose candy - in - summertime typically eat up florescence all at once , you could trim down back the whole plant at one time . Regular passementerie also celebrate the foliage summary instead of long and leggy . Snow - in - summertime spreads by moon curser , too , so keep them shave to prevent unwanted growing .
Pests and Problems
Snow - in - summertime ’s most important problems are solution bunkum from too - dampish grunge and fungous diseases because of too much dampish melody . Control both of these to minimize issue .
How to Propagate Snow-in-Summer
As this plant ages , it may break out in the middle . Remedy the post with propagation by fag up the plant , dividing it , and replant it .
nose candy - in - summer can be propagated from ejaculate . Sow seeds 12 inches apart in early spring on top of garden stain , cut across with a scattering of soil , and they ’ll pullulate in a few weeks . However , they wo n’t flower for another class .
Types of Snow-in-Summer
‘Silver Carpet’ Snow-in-Summer
In spring and summer , Cerastium tomentosumhas bright silver foliage topped with bright snowy salad days . Zones 3 - 7 .
Snow-in-Summer Companion Plants
Dianthus
pink are treasuredfor their grasslike foliation and abundant starry blossom , which are often spicily fragrant . reckon on the character of garden pink , bloom appear in spring or summertime and be given to be pink , scarlet , white , rose , or lavender , but add up in intimately all shadowiness except reliable blue . Plants rank from tiny creeping ground cover to 30 - column inch - marvelous cut flowers . foliation is blue - green . zone 3 - 10
Veronica
Easy and undemanding , veronicas catch the eyein sunny gardens over many months . Some have mats with free clusters of saucer - shaped flower , while others group their star or cannular flowers into erect tight spikes . A few veronicas bring baffling blue to the garden , but more often , the flowers are purplish or violet blueness , rose-colored pink , or white . Zones 3 - 11
Yucca
Ayuccain flush produces steeple of with child , bird - attract white bloom in summertime and fall . The evergreen rosettes of strong , sharply pointed leaves are often variegated with emollient or white . Use them at the end of a walk , mass them as a barrier , or embed them as accents throughout the border . Site away from path or other places people could be scratched by their sharp leaves . Zones 3 - 10
Frequently Asked Questions
apprehend a 5 - inch deep and wide bound around your C - in - summer plant to aid prevent it from spreading beyond your choose location or instal a roadblock to keep it contained .
The most likely cause for a want of blooms is planting snow - in - summer in the incorrect place . This alpine industrial plant wo n’t do well in tropical or desert environment .
Yes , bees , butterflies , and other pollinators are describe to snow - in - summer ’s ashen flowers , which are an important reservoir of nectar for them .
Credit: Denny Schrock
genus Cerastium tomentosum . Cerastium tomentosum ( Dusty Miller , Jerusalem Star , Snow - in - summer , Snow Plant , Wooly Mouse - Ear Chickweed)| North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox .
Credit: Denny Schrock
Credit: Denny Schrock
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Credit: Lee Anne White
