Cerastium
Mouse ear, Mouse ear chickweed
- Height × spread
- 0.1m – 0.18m × 0.3m – 0.4m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
There are around 110 species of these plants, both annual and perennial. Some of them, such as Cerastium alpinum, are extremely hardy and found in Arctic regions. A number of them are valued for their white or silvered foliage and white starry flowers. Best known is 'snow in summer' Cerastium tomentosum which is invasive, both a virtue and a menace. Perfect for ground cover, perhaps along the edge of drives. Unsuited to rock gardens.
- Flower colour
- White
- Foliage colour
- Grey
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Dome
- Height
- 0.1m – 0.18m
- Spread
- 0.3m – 0.4m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Rock garden, Mediterranean garden, Cottage garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bedding plant
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water in dry periods
Established plants in the ground can cope with 7-10 days of dryness, and shrubs often manage 2 to 3 weeks. Water one section of the garden thoroughly each day rather than a little everywhere. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather.
Spring - early-mid · Planting
Divide when too large
The plant can be divided if it becomes too large or another plant is required. This may involve physically dividing the clump in two, removing offsets or small bulbs or dividing rhizomes. The new plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Feed a general fertiliser
Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.
Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.