Cerastium 'Silver Carpet'

Cerastium tomentosum 'Silver Carpet': A Silken Drift of Blooming Silver

Low, luminous, and softly textured, Cerastium 'Silver Carpet' is a classic groundcover known for its finely felted silver foliage and a dazzling flush of white flowers in late spring. Forming a dense, spreading mat, it blankets slopes, rock gardens, and sunny edges with its cool-toned leaves that shine even when not in bloom. In flower, the plant is transformed into a shimmering white sea, making it both a textural anchor and a seasonal highlight in dry, sunny areas.

Plant Characteristics:

• Height: 5–10 cm
• Spread: 30–60 cm, spreading in a dense, low mat
• Flower Colour: Bright white
• Flowering Period: Late spring to early summer
• Foliage: Silvery-grey, narrow leaves with a soft, woolly texture
• Sunlight Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Well-drained, sandy or rocky soil; drought-tolerant once established

Uses and Benefits: 'Silver Carpet' excels as a groundcover in hot, dry spots where other plants may struggle. Perfect for rock gardens, gravel paths, retaining wall edges, or spilling between stepping stones, it adds a cooling, silvery tone that contrasts beautifully with green- or gold-leaved neighbours. It suppresses weeds, handles poor soils, and requires little care beyond cutting back after flowering.

Companion Plants: Pair with the tiny magenta tufts of Thymus 'Elfin', the soft yellow blooms of Hemerocallis 'Happy Returns', and the fine, upright texture of Sporobolus heterolepsis for a low-maintenance, sun-loving tapestry full of texture, motion, and subtle colour interplay.

Care Instructions: Plant in full sun with sharp drainage. Water to establish, then only during extended dry spells. Shear lightly after blooming to maintain a tidy appearance and prevent self-seeding. Avoid overwatering or rich soils, which can lead to legginess or rot. Divide every few years if needed to rejuvenate the clump.

History: A selected form of the European native Cerastium tomentosum, 'Silver Carpet' has been cherished in alpine and dry garden designs for decades. Its glowing foliage and ability to thrive in lean soils have made it a cornerstone of classic Mediterranean and xeric plantings.

Final Thoughts: Cool, calming, and endlessly useful, Cerastium 'Silver Carpet' brings a silver touch to the sunniest corners—spreading beauty where water and care are in short supply.