Hoary Rockrose, Helianthemum canum During the unusually cold and wet weather of May there was no sign of the buds and flowers of Hoary Rockrose. Then the rain stopped, the sun shone and the temperature rose. Helianthemum canum, named for Helios the sun god. Hoary Rockrose responds to the sun, opens up its delicate lemon flowers. Closes them if the sun does not shine.
The flower is a speciality of the cliff-face of Scout Scar escarpment, limestone rock facing south and south-west. Hoary Rockrose cannot tolerate competition, so it thrives on rock where other plants cannot.
The flower is a speciality of the cliff-face of Scout Scar escarpment, limestone rock facing south and south-west. Hoary Rockrose cannot tolerate competition, so it thrives on rock where other plants cannot.
The flowers seemed to appear out of nowhere, almost overnight. And in bright sun the cliff-face and cliff- top is a mass of Hoary Rockrose and yellow vetches. Common rockrose is more robust, less choosy in where it takes hold. And it has a longer flowering season. Growing on the cliff- face, Hoary Rockrose sets seed quickly in hot weather. Sun-burnt, it fades fast too. You'll see it best walking north, near the cliff- top, not too near.
Fortunately, there are few plants growing on shallow rock terraces set slightly back from the cliff- top. So I took close-ups to show the pink stems, the grey-green ( hoary) leaves for which it is named, and the flowers.
Fortunately, there are few plants growing on shallow rock terraces set slightly back from the cliff- top. So I took close-ups to show the pink stems, the grey-green ( hoary) leaves for which it is named, and the flowers.
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