About
Helianthemum apenninum, the white rock rose, is a very rare native evergreen subshrub found only on a few cliffs in Somerset and Devon. Relatively large, white flowers with yellow stamens are produced from late spring to midsummer above wiry, spreading stems with small, dark, evergreen leaves with greyish-white undersides. An ornamental rock rose for a sunny, very well-drained rock garden.
About the genus
Helianthemum, the rock roses, are bushy or spreading evergreen shrubs with small, paired leaves and saucer-shaped, five-petalled flowers in white, yellow, pink, red or orange borne in short racemes in spring and early summer. Excellent plants for sunny, well-drained rock gardens and wall tops.
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeAlpine Rockery, Shrubs
HabitMatforming
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCoastal, Gravel garden, Rock garden, Wildlife gardens
Native topaired leaves and saucer-shaped
Fragrancefive-petalled flowers in white
Toxicityyellow
Care notes
CultivationGrows naturally in dry grassland over limestone rocks on sea cliffs. Prefers alkaline to neutral, moist but well-drained soil in full sun, but will tolerate acid soil and dry conditions and grows well in short turf. 8461,helianthemum-canariense,Helianthemum canariense,,Helianthemum canariense is an evergreen rock rose from the Canary Islands producing the characteristic small
Pruningpaired leaves and saucer-shaped flowers of the genus. A rewarding shrub for a sunny
Propagationvery well-drained position in a frost-free garden.,Helianthemum
Pest resistancethe rock roses
Disease resistanceare bushy or spreading evergreen shrubs with small