Snow-On-The-Mountain, is an erect annual native from Minnesota to Colorado and Texas. The light green leaves are ovate to oblong, 1-3 inches long. With broad variegated margins, the plants are conspicuous in the landscape, usually between 2-4 feet in height with a single stem.
The plants flower in early fall; the flowers form small white cups, known as cyathia, at the top and center of the plant. White and green bracts provide the coloring. Snow-On-The-Mountain makes a long lasting cut flower if the cut end is seared or dipped in boiling water.
Snow on the Mountian need full sun to partial shade, with a well-drained soil mix. In the greenhouse, we use a soil mix of equal parts sand and loam. The plants should be well watered and be allowed to dry before watering again.
The plants are native to poor soils and do not need fertilizer or excessive water. Too much water or fertilizer will provide lush growth but at the expense of flowers. When grown in the landscape they are often planted with dahlias, mums and other fall flowering plants. Whether grown in containers or the landscape, they are very showy.