Genus: Helianthemum

Common Names: sunrose

A genus of around 110 species of shrubs, subshrubs, herbaceous perennials, and annuals with a center of species diversity in and around the Mediterranean basin. In cultivation, several species and hybrids are grown as ornamentals. In particular, H. nummularium has been hybridized extensively and the flowers of the resulting cultivars offer a much broader color palette than is found in the wild. Several other species are quite popular among rock gardeners and alpine garden societies.

Distribution: Africa, Europe, Asia

Helianthemum 'Cheviot'

Description: perennial; thought to be a hybrid of H. nummularium and named for the Cheviot Hills in Scotland. Low-growing and spreading into a dense, evergreen carpet of pearly, gray foliage. Profuse blooms of small (1 in.) orange-pink flowers in early summer. 

Height: to 8 in. Spread: to 4 ft.

Helianthemum 'Henfield Brilliant'

Description: perennial; low-growing and spreading into a dense, evergreen carpet of glossy, silver-gray foliage. Profuse blooms of small (1 in.) red-orange flowers from spring into summer.

Height: to 8 in. Spread: to 4 ft.

Helianthemum 'Mesa Wine'

Description: perennial; thought to be a hybrid H. nummularium. Low-growing and spreading into a dense, evergreen carpet of glossy, dark green foliage. Profuse blooms of small (1 in.) wine-red flowers in early summer and sometimes again in autumn. 

Height: to 8 in. Spread: to 4 ft.

Helianthemum 'Wisley Pink'

Description: perennial; thought to be a hybrid of H. apenninum and H. nummularium. Low-growing and spreading into a dense, evergreen carpet of glossy, gray-green foliage. Profuse blooms of small (1 in.) clear pink flowers in early summer and sometimes, again in autumn. 

Height: to 8 in. Spread: to 4 ft.

Helianthemum 'Wisley Primrose'

Description: perennial; thought to be a hybrid of H. apenninum and H. nummularium. Low-growing and spreading into a dense, evergreen carpet of glossy, gray-green foliage. Profuse blooms of small (1 in.) custard yellow flowers in early summer and sometimes again in autumn. 

Height: to 8 in. Spread: to 4 ft.

Helianthemum apenninum

Description: perennial; low, spreading growth into an evergreen carpet of gray-green foliage with pure white flowers (1 in.) in summer. Rare in cultivation.

Height: to 4 in. Spread: to 2 ft.

Helianthemum oelandicum subsp. alpestre

Description: perennial; low, spreading growth into an evergreen carpet of dark green foliage with pure yellow flowers (1 in.) in summer. Rare in cultivation.

Height: to 4 in. Spread: to 2 ft.