Description
Cerastium –
There are about 100 species of annuals and mainly mat forming or tufted perennials, in this genus. They occur from temperate and arctic zones of Europe and North America. They generally are clothed in whitish hairs and bear tiny, star shaped white flowers with 5 petals, deeply indented or notched at the apex flowers, carried singly or in cymes. The leaves are usually simple, opposite, and smooth edged. Grown for their vigorous and mat forming habit. Grow at the front of a border, on a wall, in large rock gardens, or as a ground cover. Can be invasive.
Grow in any well drained soil in full sun. Foliage should, if possible, be kept dry both in winter and during humid summer weather. Divide in spring.
C. tomentoseum – Snow in Summer – This vigorous, fast growing, mat forming ground covering perennial from Italy and Mountains of Southern and Eastern Europe and Western Asia grows 2-6″ tall with an indefinite spread. It produces linear or linear-lance shaped, white or silvery woolly leaves, ½-1 1/4″ long. In late spring and summer it bears a profuse cymes of star shaped white flowers, to 1″ across. Effective weed suppressant.
Zones 3-9
