A Guide About Helianthemum Flower

Helianthemum is a genus of modest little evergreen shrubs or semi- shrubs which, in an unassuming way, are attractive at all seasons. When in bloom, however, they are among the most floriferous, vividly coloured, and spectacular of all dwarf shrubs. The elegant and graceful little flowers are often compared to cistus, or even to miniature single roses. Their relatively late and prolonged flowering season makes them particularly valuable for the rock- garden, as they are at their maximum beauty when all the earlier flowering plants such as alyssums, aubretias, iberis, etc., have finished. They are also ideal for planting in dry walls, on terraces, or alongside stone steps.

Helianthemums are native to the Mediterranean regions, Asia Minor, North America, and Europe as far north as Sweden. The name derives from the Greek helios and anthos , with allusion to the yellow blooms. Although profusely and continuously produced, the flowers last only one day, from sunrise to sunset. The plants are also real sun-lovers, preferring a rather dry, poor, even arid sandy soil which is slightly alkaline , in a very well-drained position. Among the one hundred or so species can be found specimens that thrive in the semi-desert areas of Asia and North America; while in Europe they are found growing in the mountains up to an altitude.They are small evergreen shrubs of dwarf semi-prostrate wide-spreading habit. Planted in dry walls or on steeply sloping ground among rocks, the plants assume a trailing, almost prostrate habit. They do not require any special cultural treatment but are not hardy. It is advisable to cut the plants back severely—reducing the size by about a half—after flowering in late summer The helianthemums grown in gardens are mostly of hybrid origin, with a wide range of colours and with single or double flowers.

Propagation can be effected from seed sown in flats or pots in cold- frames or unheated greenhouses in spring, or by means of cuttings of half-ripened growths in July, which should be placed in sandy soil in frames.

Helianthemum Chamaecistus Mill.

Native to Europe, particularly Sicily, Corsica, and other Mediterranean regions. A small shrub with little linear-oblong opposite leaves with recurved margins. Elegant little five-petalled single flowers; generally yellow, but variable in colour and sometimes pink or white. Although its maximum height is only about  fully developed plants often have a diameter of up to with a close compact habit.

Helianthemum glaucum Pers.

Native to Southern Europe. Distinguished from other species by its silver-white foliage which contrasts well with the small yellow single flowers. The leaves are also thicker in texture, downy on the undersurface, and hairy on the upper surface. It is these three species (H. apenninum, H. Chamaecistus, and H. glaucum) that have been instrumental in creating the vast number of garden hybrids now available.

Helianthemum Tuberaria L.

Native to Southern Europe. A dwarf semi-shrub almost with the habit of a herbaceous perennial. Leaves oval,, finely dentated, covered with white hairs on the undersurface. Flowers in diameter, yellow, single, and borne in loose terminal groups. Petals slightly dentated at the tips.

Helianthemum Hybrids

These are the Rock Roses most frequently grown in gardens. There is a wide selection of silver- and green-leaved forms and varieties, with single or double flowers ranging in colour from orange, yellow, or white to pink, red, or scarlet. Specialist nurseries catalogue at least thirty named varieties, all of which must, of course, be propagated by vegetative means from cuttings.

flower guide