Complement Snow in Summer’s Sparkle with The Perfect Companion Plants

Snow in summer, also known as Cerastium tomentosum, is a delightful flowering perennial that lights up the garden with its pristine white blooms against a backdrop of fuzzy silver-gray foliage. This hardy plant thrives in full sun and poor, well-drained soils. With its low spreading habit, snow in summer makes an attractive groundcover. But like any garden plant, combining snow in summer with the right companion plants enhances its assets.

When planning companion plantings, choose perennials, annuals, herbs and bulbs that enjoy the same growing conditions as snow in summer This helps ensure the companions will flourish alongside the Cerastium. Here are some excellent companion plant picks to try with snow in summer

Dianthus

Commonly called Pinks or Carnations, Dianthus features grassy blue-green foliage and abundant frilly flowers in white, pink, red, lavender and purple hues. The blooms are often fragrant. As short-lived perennials or annuals, Dianthus flowers from spring to summer. The low mounds of Blue Diamond and Firewitch dianthus make perfect companions for snow in summer.

Alyssum

Both sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) and basket of gold alyssum (Aurinia saxatilis) pair beautifully with snow in summer. Their trailing habit complements Cerastium’s spreading form. Masses of tiny alyssum flowers in white, lavender, pink or yellow add pops of color. Alyssum thrives in full sun and well-drained conditions.

Veronica

Also called Speedwell, Veronica displays small saucer-shaped blooms in white pink purple-blue and true blue on mat-like mounds or upright spikes. Blooming in spring and summer, Veronica offers nice contrast to snow in summer’s shape and habit. Try Sunny Border Blue or Veronica spicata.

Creeping Phlox

Phlox subulata forms a thick carpet smothered in pretty five-petaled blooms ranging from white and pink to purple, red and blue. Often fragrant, creeping phlox flowers in spring and needs the same growing conditions as snow in summer. At 3-6 inches tall, it complements snow in summer perfectly.

Thyme

The herb thyme teams up flawlessly with snow in summer, tolerating hot sun and poor, sandy soils. Thyme’s tiny leaves on silver-green mats get topped by upright spikes of tubular flowers. Lemon thyme offers attractive gold edges on the foliage. When stepped on, thyme releases a lovely scent.

Lavender

Choose compact lavender varieties like Munstead or Hidcote to pair with snow in summer’s cool gray foliage and white blooms. Lavender’s bushy plants with lilac-purple flower spikes bloom in summer with an unforgettable fragrance. Lavender needs lean soil and hot sun.

Catmint

Catmint, or nepeta, displays clusters of lavender-blue blooms on mounded silver-green foliage in summer. The two plants complement each other perfectly in form, flower color and growing needs.

Sedum

Succulent foliage and bursts of tiny starry blooms in white, pink or yellow make sedums like John Creech ideal companions for snow in summer. Their low carpet-like form matches snow in summer’s habit.

Viola

The prolific bloomer viola pumps out cheery pansy-like faces in spring and fall. The broad color range pairs beautifully with snow in summer’s white blooms. Certain violas like Viola cornuta work well as groundcovers.

Ornamental Oregano

Silvery bracts topped by hop-like purple flower spikes give ornamental oregano like Kent Beauty visual interest. The compact, mat-forming perennial matches up nicely with snow in summer.

Columbine

Columbine’s delicate, nodding blooms on slender stems add lovely spring color. The perennials come in many colors like red and yellow, pink and white, purple, and more. Their height contrasts nicely with snow in summer’s low carpet.

Dwarf Bearded Iris

Early blooming dwarf bearded iris reaches just 6-10 inches tall, making it a perfect height complement to snow in summer. These compact irises come in a variety of colors including blue, purple, pink, copper, yellow, white and bi-colors.

When combining snow in summer with companion plants, use the design tips below:

• Plant snow in summer in groups of 3 or more for best impact
• Repeat companion plants throughout the garden for cohesion
• Allow snow in summer to trail over walls, edges and containers
• Underplant snow in summer with crocuses, grape hyacinths or other small bulbs
• Edge walkways, patios and beds with snow in summer
• Set colorful garden art on top of snow in summer mats as focal points

With the right companion plant pairings, snow in summer becomes an even more valuable player in the garden. The partnerships highlight snow in summer’s best features like its low mounded habit and pristine white blooms while masking any weak points.

Together with carefully chosen perennial friends, flowering annuals, herbs, and spring bulbs that enjoy similar growing conditions, snow in summer shines. It delivers year-round texture and blooms when combined thoughtfully with companion plants that result in a cohesive tapestry of color, forms, and bloom seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions About Snow in Summer Companion Plants

What are some good companion plants for snow in summer?

Some excellent options include dianthus, catmint, lavender, sedum, thyme, ornamental oregano, creeping phlox, veronica, viola, columbine and dwarf bearded iris.

Should companion plants have the same watering needs as snow in summer?

Yes, choose drought-tolerant companions that thrive in hot, dry conditions and well-drained soil. This helps ensure the companion plants remain healthy alongside snow in summer.

How can companion plants enhance snow in summer’s appearance?

Pairing snow in summer with plants of contrasting heights, textures, leaf shapes or colors creates more visual interest. Compact companions cover up snow in summer’s bare lower stems. Flowering companions add more color.

Are bulbs good companion plants for snow in summer?

Yes, spring flowering bulbs like crocuses, grape hyacinths, or dwarf irises complement snow in summer beautifully. They bloom early beneath snow in summer plants, then go dormant in summer allowing snow in summer to take center stage.

Should I repeat companion plants in different areas of the garden?

Repeating the same companion plants in different areas of the garden creates a cohesive look and helps snow in summer fit in seamlessly wherever it is planted.

What are some tips for stopping snow in summer from spreading too much?

Trim back flowers before seeds form, remove unwanted seedlings promptly, and sheer plants lightly after bloom. Choose less aggressive cultivars like Silver Carpet. Space plants adequately to discourage crowding.

Snow in summer offers charm and grace to the garden with its low carpeting habit and pure white blooms against fuzzy gray-green leaves. Combining Cerastium tomentosum with the right companion plants allows this special perennial to reach its full potential. The ideal partners both accentuate snow in summer’s assets and mask any flaws. With thoughtful companion plant pairings, snow in summer becomes a true garden star.