Sun rose / rock rose
Helianthemum nummularium
Sun rose / rock rose (Helianthemum nummularium) is a groundcover suited to the Colorado Front Range. It matures to about 6–12 in tall and 18–30 in wide, needs low water, and prefers full sun. Wide color range. Drought-tough mound; shear after bloom for tidy form.
low water6–12 in tall and 18–30 in wideXeric / water-wiseDeer-resistant
Photos
At a glance
- Botanical name
- Helianthemum nummularium
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Henfield Brilliant', 'Belgravia Rose'
- Type
- Groundcover
- Mature size
- 6–12 in tall and 18–30 in wide
- Water needs
- low water
- Sun
- full sun
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- sandy, well drained only
- Soil pH
- 6.5–8.0
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Bloom color
- yellow, pink, orange, red, white
- Bloom time
- late spring, early summer
- Pollinator value
- high
- Good for
- slope, south wall
Planting & establishment
Water deeply 1×/week first summer to establish. Minimal water after — needs sharp drainage and tolerates true xeric conditions.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Sun rose / rock rose good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes. Sun rose / rock rose is included in the Front Range Plant Finder as a groundcover suited to Colorado's Front Range.
- How big does Sun rose / rock rose get?
- It matures to about 6–12 in tall and 18–30 in wide.
- How much water does Sun rose / rock rose need?
- It needs low water once established.
- Is Sun rose / rock rose native to Colorado?
- No — it is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
