Sun-Rose
Helianthemum stipulatum · Cistaceae
📷 Zeynel Cebeci · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around sun-rose and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Family
- Cistaceae
- Plant type
- Dwarf shrub
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- May to July
- Adult size
- 30 cm tall
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Water requirement
- Low
- Hardiness
- Moderate (to be adapted by region)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability high.
Expert tips
The key tip
Let it dry completely between waterings; it suffers more from excess moisture than from drought. Well-draining soil is non-negotiable—add sand or gravel if your soil is clayey.
The common mistake
Watering regularly like a typical plant, when it actually demands nearly arid soil at all times.
The pro's trick
Mulch lightly with fine gravel to keep the collar dry and reduce watering needs.
Seasonal watch
Fall: start reducing watering from September onward to harden the plant before winter, otherwise it'll rot at the first freeze combined with moisture.
Care
Optimal exposure
Rock rose absolutely loves full sun and needs a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to flower generously. A south or west-facing exposure works best, especially in temperate climates. In shade, flowering becomes sparse and your plant will become leggy.
Moderate watering
Once established, this hardy plant tolerates drought well and only needs regular watering during its first year of planting. In summer, water moderately every 10-15 days only if the soil is very dry. Avoid excess moisture which causes root rot.
Well-draining soil
Rock rose prefers very well-draining substrate, poor to average, dry and rather chalky. Use a mix of potting soil, gravel and sand if your soil is clay-based or compact. Adding coarse compost improves drainage without over-enriching the soil.
Pruning after flowering
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. Remove spent flowers and trim overly long stems by about a third. Severe pruning can rejuvenate a leggy plant, but proceed gradually.
Minimal fertilizing
This shrub needs no regular feeding: poor soil suits it even better for abundant flowering. A light application of compost in spring is more than enough. Avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers which promote foliage at the expense of flowers.
General health
Rock rose is hardly susceptible to pests and diseases if well-draining and in full sun. Root rot in overly moist soil remains the main risk. Aerate around the base regularly to limit stagnant moisture.
Did you know?
Rock rose earns its nickname because its delicate little flowers open fully in the sun and close at night or in cloudy weather. A discreet member of the Cistaceae family (like cistus), this Mediterranean mountain shrub naturally colonizes rocky, arid slopes where it creates splendid flowering carpets in May-June.
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.