Snow-in-summer - Inland Valley Garden Planner

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Snow-in-summer — <em>Cerastium tomentosum</em>

Description

Snow-in-summer could easily be renamed to 'Snow in Spring'. This soft textured plant grows quietly throughout the year until it reaches its peak flowering cycle during April and May. At this point, the fuzzy gray carpet of foliage becomes covered with a dense topping of white flowers, likened to a dusting of snow. Additional flowering occurs in smaller quantities throughout the summer.

This is a fast growing carpet-type plant that reaches 6 in. high and can spread 2-3 ft. across. It is commonly planted as a ground cover with small plants spaced 2-3 feet apart. It grows and flowers very quickly during the spring months to cover the ground, flow around rocks and spill over low walls. It needs good drainage and sunny exposures. Excessive watering can cause some plants to rot; some death after 2-3 years occurs among plants in large planting areas.

Water Needs

Snow-in-summer is not drought adapted. Regular moisture is needed for uniform growth and success, however, excessive watering can lead to some rotting. The chart shown below provides a recommended baseline guide to the monthly irrigation schedule and volume of supplemental water needed to maintain healthy growth throughout the average year. It should be noted there are several months indicated by an asterisk (*) when winter rains can provide sufficient moisture and irrigation is not needed. The high and low range of moisture indicates it can grow with varying amounts of water.

Irrigation Schedule and Graph

Moderate Water Use Plants

Irrigation Schedule 4

	Jan*	Feb*	Mar*	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov*	Dec*
Runs per Month	0x to 3x	0x to 3x	0x to 3x	2x to 3x	2x to 3x	3x to 4x	3x to 4x	3x to 4x	2x to 3x	2x to 3x	0x to 3x	0x to 3x
Inches per Run	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"	1"

Inches per Month	0" to 3"	0" to 3"	0" to 3"	2" to 3"	2" to 3"	3" to 4"	3" to 4"	3" to 4"	2" to 3"	2" to 3"	0" to 3"	0" to 3"

Range of supplemental summer water: 17"-24"
Range of supplemental winter water: 0"-15"

0"-3"

2"-3"

3"-4"

2"-3"

0"-3"

Jan*

Feb*

Mar*

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov*

Dec*

For more information on how to use this Irrigation Schedule and Graph, click here.

Plant Properties

Plant Type: Ground cover, Perennial
Foliage Character: Evergreen
Habit: Spreading, Delicate
Growth Rate: Fast
Height: 4 in. - 6 in.
Width: 2 ft. - 3 ft.
Water Needs: Moderate 4
Foliage Color: Silvery white
Flower Color: White
Flower Season: Summer, Spring
Soil Adaptations: Well-draining soil
Exposure Adaptations: Frost, Cold hardy, All day sun
Function: Rock gardens, Residential spaces, Raised planters, Grouped, Foliage accent plant, Flowering accent plant, Borders, Banks, Small spaces