Heliosperma pusillum

RHS Plant Profile
very small catchfly

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Synonyms

Silene quadrifida misapplied
Silene pusilla
Heliosperma quadrifidum misapplied
Heliosperma alpestre misapplied

Alpine Rockery
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A compact, evergreen perennial, forming a low, loose mat of branching stems bearing linear to lance-shaped green leaves. Sprays of small white or pink flowers are produced in late spring and early summmer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

Up to 10 cm

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
Up to 10 cm

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Caryophyllaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen, Semi evergreen
Habit
Tufted, Matforming
Genus
A genus of compact, mat-forming flowering alpine perennials, native to mountain ranges in Western Europe. Low-growing, branching green stems produce lance-shaped dark green foliage. Small, fragrant white star-shaped flowers appear in early summer
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Thrives in a sunny spot in moist, gritty, neutral to alkaline soil with good drainage. Protect from excess winter wet. Ideal for a rockery, scree bed or alpine house

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in containers in a cold frame in autumn, or by basal softwood cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Rock garden
  • Banks and slopes
  • Ground cover

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs and snails outdoors, and to aphids, glasshouse whitefly and red spider mite under glass

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews