Common Rockrose, Sun Rose, Rock Rose
Helianthemum nummularium

Family: Cistaceae

What it is like

Bloom Color: Orange, Pink, Red, White, Yellow. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Spreading or horizontal.

Helianthemum nummularium is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Basic grassland and scrub, to 600 metres.

Europe, including Britain, south and east to Spain and Iran in W. Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 1

The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Terror', 'Panic' and 'Extreme fright'. It is also one of the five ingredients in the 'Rescue remedy'.

Bach: Plants used in the Bach flower remedies.

Other

Rating: 3

A prostrate growing plant, it can be used as a ground cover.

Ground cover: Ground Cover

How it is grown

Landscape Uses:Alpine garden, Border, Ground cover, Rock garden, Specimen. Requires an open sunny position in a light well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 8. Plants are hardy to at least -10°c. A vigorous plant suitable for the rock garden, crevices in walls or gravel beds. Plants are short-lived, though, soon becoming leggy or sparse, and require fairly frequent replacement. The flowers only open in bright sunshine. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible. A polymorphic species, there are some named forms that have been selected for their ornamental value. Plants are generally pest and disease-free. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Attracts butterflies.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 6 - 8cm with a heel, late summer in a sandy soil in a frame.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Ground Cover; East Wall. In. South Wall. In. West Wall. In.

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 5-8

Growth: Fast

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

H. chamaecistus. Mill. H. vulgare. Gaertn.