Cerastium tomentosum
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ser-ASS-tee-um toh-MEN-toh-sum
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
-
Snow-in-summer is a low growing perennial that will form a 6" tall mat of attractive narrow leaves. Spreading will occur by underground runners. In late spring to early summer, stems with showy star-shaped white flowers will protrude 8-12" above the ground-covering mat. Each stem may produce up to 15 blooms. The numerous blooms form a snowy-looking carpet of white, hence its common name.
Self-seeding will occur if the spent blooms are not removed. Divide every few years in the spring or fall. Propagation can also be done from cuttings in early summer. Pruning should not be done in the fall, wait until spring.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: Root rot can occur in locations where good drainage is not provided. It does not tolerate foot traffic. It can be an invasive plant in locations with cooler summer climates. It is a short-lived plant that may result in dead patches in a covered area. Does not perform well in climates with high humidity or in a location with insufficient sunlight.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Columnae'
Lower 4" mat, less invasive. - 'Silver Carpet'
Compact and less invasive. - 'Yoyo'
Compact and less agressive.
- 'Columnae'
- 'Columnae', 'Silver Carpet', 'Yoyo'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Columnae'
Lower 4" mat, less invasive. - 'Silver Carpet'
Compact and less invasive. - 'Yoyo'
Compact and less agressive.
- 'Columnae'
- 'Columnae', 'Silver Carpet', 'Yoyo'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cerastium
- Species:
- tomentosum
- Family:
- Caryophyllaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Italy, Corse & Sicilia
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 9 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Creeping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Bundle of 0.5-0.7 in. 5-petaled white flowers in spring; small nonshowy fruit
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- 1 in. grayish-green leaves covered with soft-textured whitish hairs; oblong to lance-shaped
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Wiry stems.
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Patio
- Pool/Hardscape
- Rock Wall
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Short-lived
