Plant Type

Ground cover, Perennial

 

Height Range

Under 1'

 

Flower Color

Orange, Red, Yellow, White

 

Flower Season

Spring

 

Leaf Color

Green, Grey Green

 

Bark Color

Grey

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full, Half

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

n/a

Design Styles

English Cottage, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring

 

Location Uses

Perennial Border, Shrub Border, Parking Strip, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Cascade, Erosion Control, Mass Planting, Fire Resistant

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Rock Rose is a charming, low growing perennial that blooms late spring to early summer. Simple five-petaled flowers come in shades of red, apricot, orange, yellow, pink, rose, and white. Plants are 6 or so inches high and spread to 18 inches. Leaves are green to grey-green and are finely textured. Unlike some spring bloomers, Rock Rose has very nice summer foliage, making it an good choice for a groundcover, though one that doesn't receive foot traffic.

Grow in well drained soil and full sun to part shade. Deadheading isn't necessary, but cutting the whole plant back by a third in mid summer can result in more dense foliage and, sometimes, a second blooming in the fall, though it will be less showy. In mild winters, foliage may be evergreen, but summer sun may score the leaves; evergreen boughs are useful as a protective cover. There are helianthemum planted at the Washington Square Conservation Garden.