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.
