About

A spreading, evergreen shrub to 30cm in height, with narrow grey-green leaves. Single, bright orange-red flowers, redder in centre, appear in late spring and early summer.

About the genus

Helianthemum are bushy or spreading evergreen shrubs with small paired leaves and saucer-shaped flowers borne in short racemes in spring and early summer

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectWest-facing, East-facing, South-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.1-0.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden

Care notes

CultivationGrow in fertile, neutral to alkaline, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Suitable for rock garden or the front of a border, or as a groundcover on a sunny bank. This plant was included in the RHS Helianthemum (rock rose) trial 2024-2026
PruningPruning group 10 after flowering
PropagationPropagate by softwood cuttings in late spring or early summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility