How big does Rock rose grow?

About 25 cm × 60 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 10–30 cm × 30–90 cm.

What soil does Rock rose grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

When does Rock rose flower?

Flowering: May–July, white, yellow, orange, red, pink.

How much water does Rock rose need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

How much does Rock rose cost?

It sells for roughly €5 to €9.20 in local shops, depending on size.

Rock rose

Helianthemum × hybridum

Rock rose (Helianthemum × hybridum) is a ground cover plant that reaches 25 cm × 60 cm after ten years. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Sold in local shops from about €5.

Illustration of Rock rose — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Hybrid rock roses are low, spreading evergreen subshrubs with grey-green or silvery foliage that cover themselves from late May to midsummer in white, yellow, orange, red or pink flowers like tiny wild roses. Each flower lasts just one day, but there are so many buds that the cushion stays colourful for weeks. They want baking sun and dry, lean soil, happily limy and stony: rock gardens, wall tops and banks; in heavy, winter-wet ground they rot. Trim back by about half after flowering or the middle opens up and goes bare. Cultivars differ mainly in flower colour and foliage: some are green-leaved and some silver-grey, and the latter stay decorative after flowering too.

Watch out for

Its worst enemy is winter wet: in poorly drained soil the plant rots easily. In Central Europe hard frost without snow cover can scorch the evergreen foliage, and a cover of conifer branches helps. Without trimming the centre opens up and goes bare. It has hardly any pests or diseases.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 25 cm × 60 cm
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–July, white, yellow, orange, red, pink

Group	Ground cover
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	25 cm × 60 cm
Ultimate size	10–30 cm × 30–90 cm
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	May–July, white, yellow, orange, red, pink
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	40 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	no data
Typical price	from about €5

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. €5 – €9.20

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Ground cover plants Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Evergreen plants Plants for containers Plants for a Mediterranean garden Rock garden plants

Compare with similar plants

Rock rose vs Cheddar pink Rock rose vs Common thyme Rock rose vs Mountain rock cress

Looks good next to it

Pink muhly grass

Muhlenbergia capillaris

Cotton lavender

Santolina chamaecyparissus

Hyssop

Hyssopus officinalis