Helianthemum nummularium f. mutabile

ROCK ROSES MIX

Helianthemum nummularium f. mutabile
ROCK ROSES MIX

Helianthemum nummularium f. mutabile gives a mix of all the loveliest rock rose colours.

Bright cups of bloom on silver foliage

The blooms of Helianthemum nummularium f. mutabile are charming.
And these seed packets have a lovely mix of all the colours Rock Roses are so loved for.

Mix of colours – Rose + pink + white + apricot + red + sunshine yellow

Each flower is large and showy – a cupped disc of approximately 3cm. across, with a centre of prominent golden stamens.
With petals of a lovely crepe-paper like texture.

Like a flock of single roses

Buds open to flat discs of flowers that look boldly up at you from the carpet of silvery foliage.
So the overall effect is striking.

Crepe cups on eye-catching downy silver foliage 

Silver dusted, downy leaves and silver felt stems, make the perfect setting crepe-paper blooms.
As if the whole plant has been dusted with silver flour.

Blooms from mid spring through summer

Helianthemums bloom for months – from mid-spring through summer.

With a constant procession of flowers

With a continuous procession of flowers (much to the delight of gardeners and bees alike).
“Helianthemum” means “flowers of the sun” because the flowers open in the sun and close at night.
Each flower lasts but one day, but they are constantly replaced for many months from the crop of  daintily nodding buds.

Brilliant groundcover

Helianthemum nummularium f. mutabile makes a brilliant groundcover with its compact and low spreading, bushy growth.
So it makes a pool of silver contrast in the garden or pot all year round (it is soundly evergreen – even in areas with cold, frosty winters).

Cascades down a wall, over an edge, or between paving

Tough little Rock Roses are ideal for spilling down a steep bank; cascading over a wall; draping from a pot; or planting between paving stones.

Perfect underplanting groundcover 

Rock Roses are also perfect underplanting or edging for taller flowers or shrubs, and roses of any colour of course.

Popular for green roofs & vertical gardens

It is likewise popular for green roofs and vertical gardens, due to its tough and undemanding constitution.

Favourite for pots, new gardens & low maintenance planting

Helianthemum nummularium f. mutabile has all the glamour to feature in a decorative pot.
And it is a great choice for those establishing a new garden – as it is very quick growing and so tough; or for low maintenance plantings. 

Perfectly adapted to summer dry & heat

As a native of rocky, hot and sandy places in southern Europe (Italy, France and Greece particularly) – tough little Helianthemum nummularium f. mutabile relishes dry and heat.

Perfectly adapted to poorer soils

It grows naturally in limestone conditions, on rocky, gravelly hillsides – so it is a great choice for gardeners with alkaline soil or seaside conditions, or low fertility, shallow soils.

Water wise & drought resistant toughies
Rock Roses are particularly drought-resistant and heat hardy.
So ideal for gardeners with limited water and hot, dry summers.

Frost hardy toughies

Dear little Rock Roses might look charming and delicate, but they are really little toughies.
Robustly frost hardy, as well as heat and dry hardy.
And withstanding frosts down to approximately -10°C, and even more if it is in a very well drained pot or position.

Food for bees & useful pollinators

Bees and other useful pollinators are particularly fond of the nectar and pollen from the prolific blooms.
So great plants to bring the bees and pollinators into your garden.

And keep them in the garden

And keep them there, as so long blooming – with a constant procession of flowers for the pollinators to frolic in.

Some resistance to rabbits & deer

Rock Rose plants have a rather bitter taste and a furry texture, so they are not high on the menu for nibbling brutes. They are not completely immune, but less likely to be grazed.

Tough, hardy, evergreen groundcover shrub 

Helianthemum nummularium f. mutabile make evergreen, very low, spreading groundcover shrubs.
25cm. High x 30cm. Wide.

SEED SOWING ADVICE:

Seeds of Helianthemum nummularium f. mutabile can be sown at any time indoors in punnets, whenever suitable temperatures can be provided.
OR
Scatter directly in the garden during autumn for spring germination (the cold period of winter helps germination).

Sow indoors for quicker and maximum germination: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Pat gently to ensure good contact with the mix.
Then just lightly sprinkle the seeds with sieved mix or fine vermiculite, but do not bury deeply.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath.
And allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then drain and place the punnet in a warm, well-lit position (with good light but no direct sunlight) for 4-6 weeks.

Temperatures of 18-20°C approx. are ideal for this pre-conditioning period of warmth.
You can use a heat mat to maintain consistent warmth.

Continue to keep the punnet moist by misting the punnet regularly from a spray water bottle.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic cover will also help to maintain necessary consistent moisture.

Seeds may germinate during this period of warmth and are ready to prick out and grow on.
But if there is no germination – then the seeds need a period of chilling to break their natural dormancy.
So now wrap the moist punnet in cling-wrap or a clip-lock bag, and place in the fridge (not freezer) for 6-8 weeks.
This mimics winter chilling to break the seed’s natural dormancy.

Then remove from fridge, unwrap, and return to a warm, well-lit position (but no direct sunlight).
Temperatures of 18-20°C approx. are ideal for optimum germination.

Once the seedlings have developed their first true leaves, prick out the seedlings into small pots and grow on until planting out into the garden.

Seed Count: 100 seeds per pack approx – which should give you a fabulous range of colours to choose from.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

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