Common Rock Rose (Helianthemum nummularium) Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 1st Feb 2024
- Plant Characteristics: Showcases a profusion of colorful, cup-shaped flowers in shades of yellow, pink, orange, and red above a mat of evergreen, silvery foliage. An excellent groundcover plant that adds a splash of color to rock gardens or dry slopes.
- Growing & Care: Thrives in full sun and well-drained soil; ideal for xeriscaping. Drought-tolerant once established and prefers not to be overwatered.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Easy to care for and perfect for low-water gardens. Deadhead regularly to prolong blooming. Tolerates poor soil, but avoid heavy, wet soils to prevent root rot.
The Helianthemum nummularium plant is an evergreen that is native of Europe. This plant has a trailing nature.
It carries yellow or pink saucer shaped flowers in late spring and the start of summer; these look quite similar to roses, hence their common name of 'rock-rose'.
Helianthemum photograph by Leonora (Ellie) Enking.
The plants like an alkaline dry environment and are natively found on chalk downs.
Flowers only last for one day, but as the plant carries a multitude of flowers it stays in bloom for a couple of months.
This is a great plant to grow if you want to attract bees to the garden as the rock-rose is a rich source of nectar. The leaves also act as food source that attracts butterflies, moths, and beetles to the garden.
These can make great ground cover in south facing gardens that are exposed to a lot of sun.
Space at about 2.5 inches (8 cm) if growing as cover.
Learn more about the Helianthemum Plant genus.
Helianthemum nummularium Video Growing Guide
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Quick Growing and Care Guide
- Scientific Name: Helianthemum nummularium
- Common Name (s): Common Rock Rose, Rock-rose, Flower of the sun
- Growing Zone (USA / UK Hardiness): 5 to 7 / H5
Plant Details
- Life Cycle / Plant Type: Evergreen shrub
- Plant Height: 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm)
- Plant Spread: 24 to 36 inches (60 to 90 cm)
- Blooms: Late Spring and early summer
- Flower Details: Yellow, pale pink, deep red. Five petals. Rose like. Saucer shaped. Short-lived.
- Leaf Foliages: Paired. Lance shaped. Grey-green. Up to 2 inches long (6 to 10 cm)
Growing Conditions
- Best Light Conditions: Full sun
- Suitable Soil Types: Sandy, rocky, chalky
- Suitable Soil pH: Alkaline
- Soil Soil Moisture: Dry
- Sowing, planting, and Propagation:
- Care: Winter mulch in cooler areas. Shear to encourage further growth and to maintain shape following blooming.
Further Information
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Helianthemum nummularium plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Knotweed, Crambe, and Buphthalmum plants.
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