Helianthemum 'BEN FHADA' rock rose

Rock roses are popular ground-covering perennials available in many attractive colours. Ben Fhada is a yellow flowering variety producing large flowers with a conspicuous orange around the cenre. In fact it is composed of orange blotches at the base of each petal. They open from nodding buds for about 4 weeks, beginning in late May. In summer it sporadically re-blooms offering a few flowers on the plant every now and then. Ben Fhada makes a more compact plant compared to most other yellow flowering varieties.

Once the main flowering season has finished (late June) reduce the size of the whole plant to a half by trimming. It will encourage growth of new foliage and the plant will look tidy and bushy until the next spring. Rock rose is a low, ground-covering or mound-forming semi-woody perennial with evergreen foliage. The short and linear leaves are rosemary-like, medium green. Pruning may be followed by a dose of a good fertilizer if you want a bushy and lush looking evergreen cushion.

Rock roses are low, spreading plants, ideal for rockeries or dry slopes that grow well in common garden soil, too, provided it is well-drained. They love full sun and neutral to slightly alkaline soil that must not remain wet. Hardy to about -29°C (USDA zone 5).

Last update 12-12-2019