Fumana procumbens
Fumana procumbens · Cistaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around fumana procumbens and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Family
- Cistaceae
- Form
- Creeping shrub
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- May to July
- Mature size
- 30 to 50 cm tall, 60 to 80 cm wide
- Hardiness
- Moderate (-10 to -12 °C)
- Origin
- Mediterranean region and southern Europe
- Soil
- Well-drained, poor to average, chalky
Care
Sunlight
Plant Fumana procumbens in full sun for optimal flowering. This Mediterranean species requires at least 6 hours of direct light daily. A south or west-facing exposure is ideal in temperate regions.
Soil and drainage
Choose a well-drained, poor to average soil that is rather chalky. Fumana hates stagnant moisture and waterlogged roots. Adding gravel or coarse sand improves permeability.
Watering
Water moderately during the first year to encourage rooting. Once established, the plant tolerates drought well and only needs watering during prolonged periods without rain. Reduce watering significantly in winter.
Pruning
Light pruning after flowering helps maintain a compact and dense form. Avoid severe pruning which may weaken the plant. Simply removing dead or diseased stems is usually sufficient.
Fertilizing
Fumana procumbens requires little fertilizer. A light application of balanced fertilizer in spring is more than enough. Excess nitrogen promotes lush foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pests and diseases
The plant is generally robust and not very susceptible to pests. Poor drainage is the main enemy: it causes root rot. Ensure sufficient air circulation to prevent fungal diseases.
Did you know?
Fumana procumbens belongs to the Cistaceae family, the same plants that produce labdanum, a precious aromatic resin used in perfumery since ancient times. Although Fumana is less renowned for this quality than its Cistus cousins, it shares this ancestral chemical heritage that makes it a remarkable plant of Mediterranean heritage.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Common rock roseHelianthemum nummularium
- Grey cistusCistus albidus
- Salvia cistusCistus salviifolius
- Montpellier rockroseCistus monspeliensis
- Laurel-leaved cistusCistus laurifolius
- Curly rockroseCistus crispus
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.