Dusty Miller Cerastium tomentosum

Snow-in-summer is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial that will form a 6-inch tall mat of attractive narrow leaves. The plant spreads by underground runners and makes a good ground cover; however, it is a short-lived plant that may result in dead patches in a covered area. In late spring to early summer, stems with showy star-shaped white flowers will protrude 8 to 12 inches above the ground-covering mat. Each stem can produce up to 15 blooms. A native of Italy, the numerous blooms on Snow-in-summer form a carpet of white, hence its common name. The genus name comes from the Greek word keras meaning horn in reference to the seed capsule which in some species is bent slightly like a cow’s horn. The specific epithet is in reference to the plant's woolly white leaves and stems.

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. The plant is deer resistant and does well in poor, dry, sandy, well-drained soils in full sun. It can tolerate a wide range of soils except for poorly-drained ones, which inevitably lead to root rot. It does well in cool summer climates but is less successful in the high summer heat and humidity of the deep South. Large beds can be mowed on a high setting.

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 weedy in locations with cooler summer climates where the plant is robust and there are less invasive, more compact cultivars of this species available.  Does not perform well in climates with high humidity or in a location with insufficient sunlight.