alpine mouse-ear
Cerastium alpinum
alpine mouse-ear (Cerastium alpinum) is a perennial suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 12 in tall and 6 to 12 in wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade. Fire-wise zone 1-2 perennial; CSU 6.305 score 8.0 of 10.
On the CSFS firewise listmedium water12 in tall and 6 to 12 in wideXeric / water-wiseLow ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10
Photos
- Photo 1: (c) naturalist charlie, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 2: (c) Terry Instone, some rights reserved (CC BY)
- Photo 3: Enrico Blasutto, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 4: Enrico Blasutto, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 5: Enrico Blasutto, Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA)
- Photo 6: (c) Terry Instone, some rights reserved (CC BY)
At a glance
Will it survive here?
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3 to 7
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade.
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.5 to 8.0
- Hail tolerance
- high
- Wind tolerance
- high
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Site uses
- Slopes & erosion control
How big, what shape?
- Mature size
- 12 in tall and 6 to 12 in wide
- Planting spacing
- ~8 to 12 in apart
What it looks like, and when
- Bloom time
- mid spring, early summer
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom length
- Long (several weeks)
- Foliage
- Deciduous
Who else benefits
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not rated
- Colorado native
- No
Also worth knowing
- Fire rating
- Low ignitability: OK 0-30 ft from the house, CSU score 8/10
Planting & establishment
Deep-water first season to establish, then minimal water needed.
Frequently asked questions
- Is alpine mouse-ear good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, alpine mouse-ear is a well-suited perennial for Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does alpine mouse-ear get?
- It matures to about 12 in tall and 6 to 12 in wide.
- How far apart do I plant alpine mouse-ear?
- Space alpine mouse-ear about 8 in apart for a faster, fuller bed, or up to 12 in apart for a looser planting.
- Is alpine mouse-ear hardy on the Front Range?
- alpine mouse-ear is hardy in USDA 3 to 7. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b to 6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does alpine mouse-ear need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- Is alpine mouse-ear native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is alpine mouse-ear a good firewise plant near the house?
- alpine mouse-ear is rated 8 of 10 in CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), where higher means less ignitable, so it can go within 0 to 5 feet of the house as well as out to 30 feet when kept watered and tidy. This is general guidance based on CSU Extension Fact Sheet 6.305 (2025), not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
- How long does alpine mouse-ear bloom?
- alpine mouse-ear blooms for several weeks, a long-season performer on the Front Range. Bloom timing shifts a week or two with elevation and spring weather.
