Cerastium tomentosum

var. columnae

‘Silver Carpet’

SILVER SNOW IN SUMMER

Cerastium tomentosum var. columnae ‘Silver Carpet’ SILVER SNOW IN SUMMER

Cerastium tomentosum var. columnae ‘Silver Carpet’ is a brilliant and thoroughly useful groundcover.

Carpet of silver foliage & snow white flowers

“Silver Snow in Summer” is the perfect common name for this great little groundcover.
Because in late spring and summer it covers itself with pure white star blooms, sitting atop the silver carpet of fine foliage.
As if white snowflakes have fallen in summer.

Ever-silver groundcover all year round

For the rest of the year, the carpet of silver foliage hugs the ground and provides bright, cool contrast to all the greens and other colours.
I use it under tall apricot roses, where it really makes the colour sing.
Though it goes with any colour scheme.

Low growing perennial dense mat

Cerastium tomentosum var. columnae ‘Silver Carpet’ grows just 10-15cm. high when it is on tippy-toes.
It will carpet as far as you want it to let it go – though it is not invasive and is easily controlled.

‘Silver Carpet’ is even more compact silver and snowy

‘Silver Carpet’ is a superior variety to the old original Cerastium tomentosum.
Because it is more compact, low and dense growing; more silver in foliage; and perfectly snowy in bloom – like a blizzard of snowflakes.

Silver waterfall perfect for draping over an edge 

It is an evergreen (ever-silver), perennial groundcover, which also self-seeds amongst its own stems – so it is always renewing itself as a dense mat.
Where the mat reaches an edge, such as a rock wall or the side of a pot, it cascades over like a silver waterfall.

Hardy in heat dry & sun

Cerastium tomentosum var. columnae ‘Silver Carpet’ revels in sun, and thrives in heat and dry.
Though it resents high summer humidity so is not suitable for tropical gardeners, and will not tolerate water-logged soil for very long.

Water-wise & dry tolerant

It is drought tolerant once established, and can revive quickly given a drink after a dry period.

Winter frost & cold hardy

And it can tolerate heavy frosts down to and below -20°C.

Can tolerate a wide range of soils

Plus tolerate a wide range of soils – from sandy, through good garden loam, and even clay.
And cope in a wide range of soil pH – from the acid to the alkaline, as well as neutral soils.

Useful in areas with low fertility

Though it is particularly useful for gardeners in coastal conditions, or with sandy, gravel or rocky soils, and those with soil of low fertility.
So do not feed, or only very lightly in the garden environment – it is not necessary.

Low maintenance groundcover

There is little if any work to do to keep ‘Silver Carpet’ as a silver carpet.
You can do a shear back with the hedge-clippers or whipper-snipper, after flowering, if you wish to keep tidy, but it is not essential.

Rabbit & deer resistant

Fortunately rabbits and deer do not find the silver, furry foliage to their taste (unless of course they are desperate, when they will eat the piano leg).

Bees & pollinators flock to the summer snowflake flowers

The mass of snowflake blooms, rich in nectar, are very much appreciated by our insect friends.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Suits beginners & gardening with kids

Sow all year in punnets indoors, whenever suitable temperatures are available.
OR
Scatter directly in the garden in spring or autumn.

Sow indoors for quick & early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then pat gently to the surface to ensure good contact.
But do not cover the seeds with mix, because these seeds need light to germinate, so do not bury them.

Now thoroughly moisten the sown punnet by standing in a shallow water bath.
And allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place the punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sun).
You can use a heat mat if you have one, or a warm window sill (out of the sun).

Temperatures of 16-18°C approx. are best for rapid and optimum germination.

Continue to keep moist by misting from a spray water bottle as required.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic lid helps to conserve moisture.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 7-14 days.

Seed Count: 200 seeds per pack.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count and give a generous serve).

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