Pimelea prostrata

RHS Plant Profile
prostrate rice flower

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prostrate rice flower RHS

Synonyms

Pimelea coarctata
Pimelea laevigata

Alpine Rockery Shrubs
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A prostrate evergreen shrub forming a mat to 20cm tall, with tiny, ovate, grey-green leaves and clusters of fragrant white flowers 6mm wide in summer, sometimes followed by tiny white fruit

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
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)
H3

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Thymelaeaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Pimelea are small evergreen shrubs with leathery, paired leaves and terminal clusters of small, daphne-like tubular flowers, followed by berry-like or dry fruits
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
New Zealand

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in neutral to acidic soil in a sunny, sheltered position where the temperature does not fall below -3°C. In containers under glass, use an ericaceous compost (lime-free) with added sharp sand

Propagation

Propagate by seed in containers in a cold frame in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Coastal
  • Rock garden
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Glasshouse red spider mite may be a problem in dry glasshouse conditions

Diseases

Generally disease-free