Helianthemum 'Ben Fhada'

RHS Plant Profile
rock rose 'Ben Fhada'

Synonyms

Helianthemum nummularium 'Ben Fhada'

Shrubs

A low growing, spreading evergreen shrub with mid-green linear leaves. Yellow flowers with bright orange centres appear in late spring and early summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Sand, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cistaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Spreading branched
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow 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 ground cover on a sunny bank 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 softwood cuttings in spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Coastal
  • Wall side borders
  • Banks and slopes

Pruning

Pruning group 10, after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility