How to Grow Snow in Summer

About Growing Snow in Summer Plants in Your Home Flower Garden

Snow in Summer plants sure know how to put on a display. The low-maintenance plants grow best in areas that have cooler and drier summers. They are a favorite for rock gardens. Small plants grow just six to eight inches. But, perennial Snow in Summer flowers certainly are attractive. Its silvery gray leaves give way to a profusion of white blooms in late spring to early summer. Try growing Snow in Summer in your rock garden or flower bed. You won’t be disappointed.

The plant has wooly, silvery gray-green leaves. It’s attractive, even when not in bloom. This native of Italy produces mounds of flowers in May-June. The profusion of white booms mounded atop the plant gives it its name. You will not be disappointed by the fragrance of the blooms.

Snow In Summer is common in rock gardens and as a ground cover. Many people also use it as border edgings, or along sidewalks. Because it can be invasive, you may have to control the spread of this plant, if you grow it in your flower garden along with other flowers. These small plants look their best in the front of the flower garden.

The plants also look good growing in containers or flowerpots in a sunny location on your patio or deck. Or, try them in windowsill planters. And, try them in hanging baskets, too. Their spreading habit causes them to flow over the edges of the planter with a profusion of cheerful blooms.

The plants attract butterflies and other pollinators. As a result, it is a good companion plant.

Snow in Sumer Flower Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: White flowers with a bright yellow center.

Flowers Bloom: Late Spring to early Summer.

Plant height: Just six to eight inches tall.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 7.0.

Plant Hardiness Zones: 3 – 7

Light Needs: Bright, full sunlight.

Toxic Plant?: Somewhat.

Deer Resistant? Yes. The plants are not on the menu of deer, rabbits, and other foraging animals.

Plant Type: Perennial.

Native To: Alpine regions of Europe.

Botanical Name: Cerastium tomentosum

Other Names: It is also known by its biological name Cerastium, Mouse Ear, Chickweed, and Silver Carpet.

Are Snow in Summer Plant Edible?

NO!

Eating perennial Snow in Summer plants can cause diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.

In addtiion, it causes skin irritation.

Medicinal Uese for Snow in Summer Flowers

There are many herbal remedies and home remedies that use this plant. Among the medicinal applications are:

Use it to treat respiratory ailments.
It helps to heal wounds.
Use it to ease indigestion.

Light Requirements

Grow Snow in Summer plants in bright, direct sunlight. Plant it in a location where it will receive eight to ten hours of full, direct sunlight.

Partial shade can negatively affect the plant’s health and flower production. Fungal diseases occur in shady and humid conditions.

Perennial Snow in Summer Plant Propagation

Snow-In-Summer plants are easily propagated. They are grown from seeds. They can be directly seeded into your flower garden, or seeded indoors for transplanting later. Sow seeds early in the season and cover lightly with 1/8″ of fine garden or seed starting soil.

Start seed indoors 6 – 8 weeks before the last frost in your area. Seeds have a long germination period, requiring two to three weeks. For indoor starts, try a seedling germination mat.

Established plants can be propagated by plant division or from cuttings in the spring.

Final Plant Spacing: Ideal plant spacing is 12″ -24″. Snow in Summer plants will spread out to form a loose mat, filling in the space between plants

Days to Germination: Seeds sprout in 14 – 21 days.

About Seed Germination

How to Grow Snow in Summer Flower Plants

Planting location and soil needs:

Snow in Summer plants are easy to grow. Grow them in full sun. Plants will tolerate light or partial shade. They grow well even in poor soil. However, they like loose soil that drains well. It prefers slightly dry soil. It is a prolific reseeder. So, select a growing location where they will thrive for many years.

Snow In Summer can be an invasive plant….. spreading beyond it’s intended garden space. You may want to contain its sprawl, by using a border edging that is dug 3″ – 5″ below the surface of your soil.

Fertilizer needs:

Add a general purpose, high nitrogen fertilizer when first planting, to help them to get a good start. Add a high Phosphorous fertilizer just before the blooming period begins. This helps to promote the development of flower buds.

Water needs:

Keep soil moist during germination.

Snow in Summer is drought and heat tolerant plant. Water only during the hottest, driest period of summer. Allow the soil to dry between watering.

Other steps:

Have patience with this plant. Snow in Summer flowers will bloom in the spring of the second year after planting, and every year afterward. Prune plant and remove dead flowers after blooms have died, to give the plant a clean, healthy look, and to promote new plant growth. With a little care, established plants will thrive for many years.

Snow in Summer plants are hardy, and will survive light frosts before going dormant for the winter months.

How to Grow Snow in Summer Plants in Flowerpots and Containers

Snow in Summer plants look absolutely stunning in flowerpots and containers on a balcony, deck, or patio. The low growing habit makes them an excellent choice for any kind of planter. Grow them in hanging baskets. Then, watch the prolific blooms spill over the rim. You will love to see them and take in their fragrance from a windowsill planter, too.

All container-grown plants need a little more care and attention. In addition to normal plant care (above), here’s how to grow Snow in Summer flowers in containers:

Select a sunny location on your balcony or deck.
It is important to have a drain hole in the container to allow excess water to drain from the pot.
Keep an eye on the moisture level. Check the plants every few days, especially in extended periods of hot, dry weather.
Keep the soil moist, but not wet. They prefer dry soil. So, allow the top of the soil begin to dry between watering.
When watering the plants, thoroughly wet the soil. Excess water will drain through the hole in the bottom of the flowerpot.
Nutrients in a flowerpot are limited. So, use fertilizer spikes to feed the plants. Or, apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer once a month.

Pruning Snow in Summer Plants

The plants need little or no pruning during the growing season. If the area is space-constrained, get out the pruning shears and trim them back to keep them from spreading too far.

Deadheading the plants encourages no blooms. But, trimming the profuse blooms is tedious. If you don’t want the plants to reseed the area, make sure to remove spent blooms before the seeds mature and drop to the ground. However, if you want to capture the seeds to plant Snow in Summer flowers in a different location, leave some flowers on the plant to allow the seeds to develop and ripen. And, don’t forget to save some seeds for your gardening friends!

See Deadheading Flowers.

Insects and Plant Disease

Perennial Snow in Summer plants are seldom bothered by insects or disease. Apply insecticide or fungicide as needed.

Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures, too.

Overwintering Perennial Snow in Summer Flowers

Snow in Summer flowers are cold hardy plants. In your flower garden, practically all varieties need no special winter protection. You can trim the plant back to near soil level. Or, wait until spring to trim it back,

For Overwintering Snow in Summer Plants in Containers

If left outdoors in cold northern climates, the roots can freeze and die. This will damage or kill them. So, plan on sheltering the containers from the most brutal winters. We recommend bringing them inside of your home over the winter months to grow as a houseplant. Place the flowerpot in front of a sunny window. You can also overwinter them in a cool garage, a shed, or a greenhouse. Then, return the containers to your patio or deck in mid-spring.