These sea heaths are typically salt or drought tolerant, rock garden-like plants, from across the world. Named after J. Franke, professor of botany from Uppsala.
The carpets of creeping, drought- and salt-resistant foliage help conserve water in a dry garden and provide cover for ground-dwelling insects and other invertebrates, some of which (e.g. ground-beetles) are important beneficial predators. Although small, the flowers are profuse, and attract pollinators such as small bees and flies.