Practical
Plants

Helianthemum nummularium

Common Rockrose

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Helianthemum genus in the family Cistaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Cistaceae
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
0.5 m
Spread
1 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, Self

Uses

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Terror', 'Panic' and 'Extreme fright'[4]. It is also one of the five ingredients in the 'Rescue remedy'[4].

Product or use
Bach

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A prostrate growing plant, it can be used as a ground cover[1].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, south and east to Spain and Iran in W. Asia.
Habitat
Basic grassland and scrub, to 600 metres[2].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 6 - 8cm with a heel, late summer in a sandy soil in a frame[3].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires an open sunny position in a light well-drained soil with a pH between 5.5 and 8[3]. Plants are hardy to at least -10°c[3]. A vigorous plant suitable for the rock garden, crevices in walls or gravel beds[3]. Plants are short-lived, though, soon becoming leggy or sparse, and require fairly frequent replacement[3]. The flowers only open in bright sunshine[3]. Plants resent root disturbance and should be placed in their permanent positions as soon as possible[3]. A polymorphic species[1], there are some named forms that have been selected for their ornamental value[3]. Plants are generally pest and disease-free[3]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[3].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  4. Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. 1985-00-00 ISBN 85207 002 0

    ↩1↩2

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