Growing Snow in the Summer: A Guide to This Charming Plant

With its carpet of white blooms and felted silver foliage snow in the summer (Cerastium tomentosum) brings unique texture and charm to the garden. This hardy perennial performs especially well in coastal gardens, rock gardens, and other sites with cool summers.

Let’s take a deeper look at how to grow and care for snow in the summer.

An Overview of Snow in the Summer

Also called woolly mouse-ear chickweed, snow in the summer is a low-growing perennial in the carnation family. Here are a few key facts:

• Grows 6-12 inches tall and spreads 9-12 inches wide

• Features fuzzy gray-green leaves with white woolly undersides

• Blooms profusely in early summer with white flowers

• Spreads quickly by self-seeding and underground runners

• Works well as a flowering groundcover

• Tolerates poor, dry soil and some drought

• Deer and rabbit resistant

• Hardy in zones 3-8

• Native to Europe

The common name refers to the abundant “snowfall” of flowers that peak in early summer. Let’s look closer at how to grow this special plant.

Growing Conditions for Snow in the Summer

Snow in the summer thrives when given the following growing conditions:

• Sun: Full sun (at least 6 hours direct sun per day)

• Soil: Average to sandy, well-draining soil

• pH: Slightly acidic soil, between 6.0-7.0

• Water: Average moisture, allow soil to partly dry out between waterings

• Temperature: Performs well in cooler climates (zones 3-7)

• Humidity: Prefers relatively low humidity

This plant struggles with wet soil, shade, intense summer heat, and high humidity. Site it carefully in conditions it prefers for best success.

How to Plant Snow in the Summer

Snow in the summer can be planted in spring or fall. Here are some tips:

• Select a site with full sun and well-drained soil. Amend soil with compost if needed.

• Space plants 12-18 inches apart to allow for spread.

• Dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the plant’s root ball.

• Carefully remove the plant from its nursery pot and place it in the planting hole. The top of the root ball should be level with the ground.

• Fill in around the plant with your native soil, firming it gently. Water thoroughly after planting.

Caring for Snow in the Summer Plants

Once established, snow in the summer requires minimal care:

• Water whenever the top few inches of soil become dry. Avoid overwatering.

• Shear off spent blooms to encourage reblooming and curtail self-seeding.

• Prune selectively after blooming to shape and contain spread as needed.

• Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring if plants seem undernourished.

• Divide congested plants every 2-3 years in spring after blooming.

• Cut plants back nearly to the ground in late fall.

• Apply winter mulch in cold climates after the ground freezes.

That’s really all there is to it! This tough plant practically cares for itself with minimal inputs.

How to Propagate Snow in the Summer

Snow in the summer can be easily propagated by:

• Division – Divide established plants in early spring or fall by lifting and separating sections. Replant divisions.

• Cuttings – Take 3-4 inch tip cuttings in early summer. Strip leaves from lower half of stems. Dip in rooting hormone and stick in potting mix. Keep moist until rooted.

• Seed – Collect and sow ripe seed in containers or directly in garden beds. Cover very lightly with soil. Seedlings will sprout in spring.

• Self-sown volunteers – Transplant small self-sown seedlings in early spring to a desired location.

Tips for Growing Snow in the Summer

Here are a few additional tips for success with snow in the summer:

• Give plants plenty of space for good air circulation to prevent fungal disease.

• Avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot in humid climates.

• Shear off spent blooms to prevent rampant self-seeding.

• Select compact cultivars like ‘Silver Carpet’ or ‘Yo-Yo’ for better containment.

• Use as a flowing groundcover on banks, slopes, rock gardens, and along walkways.

• Combines beautifully with bulbs, ornamental grasses, lavender, thyme, and other rock garden plants.

Why Grow Snow in the Summer?

What’s not to love about this beautiful flowering groundcover? Here are some of the top reasons to grow snow in the summer:

• Provides a lovely carpet of white blooms in early summer.

• Soft, fuzzy silver-green foliage adds unique texture and color.

• Spreads nicely to form a dense mat that suppresses weeds.

• Works well in coastal gardens, rock gardens, and xeriscapes.

• Tolerates poor, dry soil quite well.

• Takes minimal care and maintenance once established.

• Deer and rabbit resistant.

Add charming snow in the summer to your landscape for a touch of woolly softness and floral beauty. It’s truly a gem!