Snow-In-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum) | Silver Ground Cover

Snow-In-Summer

1 Gallon

$12.90

1/5

Snow-In-Summer

Cerastium tomentosum

A classic mat-forming ground cover with striking silver-white foliage and profuse pure white spring flowers, perfect for rock gardens and slopes.

$12.90

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

Cerastium tomentosum is a classic, mat-forming evergreen perennial prized for its striking, woolly, silver-white foliage and profuse, pure white star-shaped flowers that bloom in late spring to early summer. Native to southern Italy, this drought-tolerant ground cover forms a dense, spreading carpet of small, velvety, gray-white leaves that provide excellent contrast and year-round interest. In late spring (April to June), it produces an abundance of small, white, five-petaled flowers with notched tips, creating a spectacular "snowy" display that completely blankets the silvery foliage. Exceptionally drought-tolerant once established, deer resistant, and adaptable to poor, sandy soils, it is an outstanding choice for rock gardens, slopes (erosion control), borders, containers, and as a colorful ground cover.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage & Flowers: Dense mat of small, narrow, woolly, velvety, silver-white to gray-white leaves; profuse, small, pure white, star-shaped flowers with notched tips (resembling snow), blooming in late spring to early summer (April-June) .
Mature Height: 6-8 inches
Mature Spread: 24-36 inches (2-3 ft) (spreading)
Growth Rate: Fast (vigorous)
Hardiness Zones: USDA 3-7 ; Sunset A1-A2, 1-24
Light Requirement: Full sun (essential; will not thrive in shade)
Core Benefits: Striking silver-white velvety foliage, profuse pure white spring flowers, extremely drought tolerant, excellent for rock gardens and slopes, deer resistant.
Best Uses: Rock gardens, slopes (erosion control), borders, ground cover, containers, cottage gardens, moonlight gardens.

Q: Is Snow-In-Summer invasive?
A: It can be vigorous and spread aggressively in ideal conditions (full sun, well-drained soil). It spreads by creeping stems and self-seeding. Site it carefully, away from delicate, low-growing plants, or contain it with edging. In some regions, it is considered invasive.

Q: How much sun does it need?
A: Full sun is absolutely essential (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily). In shade, it will become leggy, the foliage will turn green (losing its silver color), and flowering will be poor.

Q: Is it drought tolerant?
A: Yes, once established, it is exceptionally drought tolerant. It thrives in dry, poor, sandy, well-drained soils and is an excellent choice for xeriscape gardens and slopes.

Q: Is it deer resistant?
A: Yes, the woolly, fuzzy foliage is generally resistant to deer and rabbits.

Q: Does it tolerate humidity?
A: It dislikes high heat and humidity, especially in summer. It is best suited for cooler climates (USDA zones 3-7) and may struggle in hot, humid southern summers.

Q: Can it be grown in containers?
A: Yes, it is an excellent choice for containers, hanging baskets, and rock gardens, where its silvery foliage can be appreciated up close. Container growing also helps control its spread.