Abstract Responses of plants to the length of the growing season were studied in an alpine snow‐bed by setting five plots along a snow‐melting gradient. Performance and phenology were compared between the plots for five herbaceous species ( Peucedanum multivittatum, Primula cuneifolia, Veronica stelleri var. longistyla, Solidago virga‐aurea var. leiocarpa and Potentilla matsumurae ). Performance characteristics measured were flower height, leaf height, leaf number, flower number and fruit number. In the late exposed plots with short snow‐free periods, fruit‐set was reduced in many species due to the decrease in flower number and/or the short growing season for fruit development. Veronica stelleri var. longistyla and Solidago virga‐aurea var. leiocarpa , which decreased in flower and leaf numbers due to the short snow‐free period, were sensitive to the short growing season. Peucedanum multivittatum was vigorous in the late exposed plots, but its slow flowering and fruiting prevented the fruit‐set from developing in the last exposed plot. Primula cumeifolia and Potentilla matsumurae , quick flowering species that maintained their flower number throught the snow‐melting gradient, were considered the most successful species in late exposed habitats.