Helianthemum apenninum

RHS Plant Profile

white rock rose

Other common names

Appenine sun rose

Synonyms

Cistus hirsutus Lam. 1779

Alpine Rockery Shrubs

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A very rare native, found only on a few cliffs in Somerset and Devon, and resembling garden rock roses. Wiry, woody, spreading stems carry small, dark, evergreen leaves with greyish-white undersides. Relatively large flowers, white with yellow stamens, are produced from late spring to mid-summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: East–facing or 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): H5
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cistaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Matforming
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
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: SW Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows 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. This plant was included in the RHS Helianthemum (rock rose) trial 2024-2026 https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/trials-awards/ongoing-plant-trials/helianthemum

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in autumn, or by softwood cuttings taken in late spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Gravel garden
Rock garden
Wildlife gardens
Banks and slopes

Pruning

Pruning group 10 after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free