Description
HELIANTHEMUM nummularium, commonly known as Common Rock-rose, is a low-growing, sun-loving evergreen sub-shrub celebrated for its bright, silky flowers and exceptional value in dry, wildlife-friendly landscapes. Native to calcareous grasslands across Europe, it forms a spreading mat of small, rounded, grey-green leaves that remain attractive throughout the year.
It is a cornerstone species for chalk-grassland ecology, supporting specialist pollinators and offering sensory richness through its soft foliage and vibrant colour. Consequently, it is ideal for wildlife gardens, sensory spaces, rockeries, green roofs, and drought-resilient planting schemes.
During summer, the plant bursts into a masses of buttercup-yellow flowers, each lasting only a short period but produces them in such abundance that the plant appears continuously in bloom. Because it thrives in poor, stony soils.
Key Features:
Propagation method: Seeds.
Substrate: Jiffy Peat-Free propagation Mix.
Plug Size: 4.5cm.
Production system: Grown without artificial light or heating for hardened plants.
Flowers: Bright yellow, silky, five-petaled blooms.
Foliage: Small, rounded, grey-green, evergreen
Flowering period: May-August
Height: Up-to 20cm at maturity.
Spread: Up-to 60cm at maturity.
Hardiness: Hardy in most UK regions.
Pollinator value: Highly attractive to bees and beneficial insects.
Sensory value: Ideal for SEND gardens and therapeutic planting schemes for it’s Vivid yellow flowers that create strong visual stimulation and soft, fine foliage offers gentle tactile interest.
Ecological impact: Grown in peat-free substrate with no artificial inputs, pollinator and wild life friendly.
Planting & Care:
Prefers full sun, free-draining soil & likes alkaline or neutral substrates.
Thrives in poor, stony soils so avoid water-logging.
Light pruning after flowering helps maintain shape and encourages new growth.
Minimal feeding required; thrives in low-fertility soils.
Suitable for containers, rock gardens, walls, and dry banks.
Ideal for containers, gravel/rock gardens, walls, dry banks and Pollinator/Wild life friendly planting schemes.
Commercial Notes:
HELIANTHEMUM nummularium are supplied as strong, well rooted, hardy plug plants ready for potting into pots up-to 2lt formats.
Ideal for nursery, and wholesale formats and performs well in peat-free and organic programs.
Suitable for wild life friendly, and sustainable product ranges.
