Cerastium fontanum aka Common Chickweed

Cerastium fontanum is known as common mouse-ear or mouse-ear chickweed. It belongs to the pink family, Caryophyllaceae. Kew lists its native range across northern Europe and Greenland. This also includes mountains in central and south-central Europe, plus Morocco. The RHS confirms that it is native to Britain and Ireland. It grows in temperate climates. Plants For A Future records a wider distribution across Europe, Asia, and northwestern Africa.

This short-lived perennial grows low and forms spreading mats. Its branched growth can reach both upwards and outwards. Garden plants reach about 0.3–1.6 feet (0.1–0.5 metres) in height and spread. The RHS gives about one year as the time to maturity. The leaves grow in opposite pairs and have curved, hairy surfaces. The foliage is deciduous. Small white flowers appear in clusters from April through November. Each flower has petals with deep lobes. Its long flowering season spans spring, summer, and much of autumn.

Grow it in full sun or partial shade. It suits moist soil that drains well. The RHS lists sandy, loamy, and chalk soils as suitable. It accepts acid, neutral, and alkaline conditions, and grows on poor ground. Both sheltered and exposed sites can suit it. Plants For A Future also places it in damp, shaded habitats. It suggests woodland edges and sites with dappled shade. The RHS rates it H6 for UK hardiness. Plants For A Future gives USDA zones 5–10.

The RHS suggests this species for a wildflower meadow. Its low mat of foliage suits that informal setting. Yet it can become a weed through heavy self-seeding. Grow new plants from seed when more are needed. It needs no routine pruning. Remove plants before seed forms where further spread is unwanted. The RHS reports few usual pest or disease problems. Its broad soil tolerance and limited pruning needs make care straightforward.

Plants For A Future lists the leaves as edible raw or cooked. Young stems may also be cooked. It gives the plant an edibility score of two out of five. The same source reports no known hazards. That statement does not establish safety for every person or pet. It lists no known medicinal uses or other uses.