Sun Rose

A genus of small, shrubby perennials that are part of the Cistaceae family which includes the Cistus - Rock Roses.

* photo of unknown internet source


Helianthemum alpestre
A semi-evergreen, small, shrubby perennial, reaching a maximum size of 4 inches x 1 foot. It is native to central and southern Europe.
The leaves are tiny, up to 0.3 inches in length.
The profuse flowers, up to 0.8 inches across, are pale yellow. The flowers are borne during early to mid summer.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun.

Helianthemum lunulatum
A small, cushion-forming, woody perenial, reaching a maximum size of 8 inches x 1 foot.
The leaves, up to 0.6 inches in length, are gray-green.
The flowers, up to 0.3 inches across, are vivid golden-yellow with an orange center.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in full sun.

Helianthemum nummularium ( Sun Rose )
A moderate growing, deep rooted, evergreen, mat forming, shrubby perennials, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 4 feet though rarely over 1 foot in height, that is a widespread native to Europe, east to the Caucasus. It is found on dry grasslands and sand dunes in the wild. The Sun Roses are highly useful for the front of landscape borders, walls, rock gardens and containers.
The lance-shaped to narrow oval leaves are up to 2 x 0.6 inches in size. The foliage is deep green to silvery-gray depending upon variety.
The flowers, up to 1.3 inches across, are borne in clusters up to 12.
The bloom season varies depending upon variety but may last from early summer to early autumn.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 ( some varieties even hardy to zone 2 with protection ) in full sun to partial shade on deep, well drained soil that is not too wet during winter ( prone to rot with excessive wetness ). Drought, lime and clay tolerant but does not like excessive heat and humidity and will likely not survive a Georgia summer. It is recommended to throw some evergreen boughs over the plants during winter in harsh climates to prevent the foliage from scorching. Lightly shear plants back by about 1/3 after the first flush of blooming is over, to encourage fresh growth and repeat bloom. Propagation is from division or cuttings.

* photo of unknown internet source


'Annabel'
Bushy in habit, with green foliage and double, pale pink flowers.

'Apricot'
A groundcover shrub, reaching a maximum size of 1 x 4 feet, with small, glossy green foliage and intense orange flowers during spring.

'Ben Afflick'
Flowers are orange with a bronzed center.
Among the hardier cultivars, it is known to even thrive in Alberta, Canada.

'Ben Fhada'

* photos taken on Apr 27 2015 in Elkridge, MD

'Ben Heckla'
Flowers are bronzy-gold.

'Ben Moore'
Reaches up to 4 x 15 inches, with mid-green foliage topped by intense deep orange flowers.

'Ben Nevis'
Bushy in habit, reaching a maximum size of 14 inches x 4 feet, with orange-gold flowers.
Among the hardier cultivars, it is known to even thrive in Alberta, Canada.

'Brown Gold'
Reaches a maximum size of 8 inches x 4 feet, with brownish-yellow flowers borne during late spring into early summer.

'Burgundy Dazzler'
Reaches up to 6 inches x 1.5 feet, with glossy deep green foliage and showy, deep red flowers.

'Cerise Queen'
Neat in habit, reaching a maximum size of 8 inches x 4 feet, with intense red, double flowers.

'Double Apricot'
A groundcover shrub, reaching a maximum size of 1 x 4 feet, with small, glossy green foliage and peach-orange, double flowers during spring.

'Fireball'
Low growing, reaching a maximum height of 8 inches, with green foliage and double red flowers borne during early summer.

'Firedragon'
Bushy in habit, reaching a maximum size of 1.5 x 2 feet, with gray-green foliage and intense orange-red to scarlet-red, single flowers.

'Henfield Brilliant'
Gray foliage and large, single, deep orange-red flowers.

'Jubilee'
Reaches a maximum size of 1 x 1.5 feet, with deep green foliage and double, pale yellow flowers.

'Raspberry Ripple'
Reaches up to 15 inches with silvery evergreen foliage. The deep pink-red to red striped with white flowers borne over a period lasting up to 3 months during late spring to early summer.

'Rose Glory'
Vigorous and mounding in habit, reaching up to 6 inches x 1.5 feet, with profuse, large, rose-pink blooms during late spring. The foliage is glossy green.

'Rose Queen'
Reaches up to 8 inches in height, with green foliage and rosey-pink flowers.

'Single Yellow'
Reaches up to 9 inches x 1.5 feet, with green foliage and very profuse, large, bright yellow flowers.
Hardy zones 4 to 9, among the hardiest cultivars.

'St Mary's'
Reaches a maximum size of 1 x 4 feet, with green foliage and large, single white flowers.

'The Bride'
Silvery foliage and large flowers that are single and white with a golden-yellow eye.

'Watergate Rose'
Gray-green foliage and flowers that are deep rose-red with an orange tinged center.

'Wisley Pink'
Reaches a maximum size of 1 x 4 feet with gray foliage and large, pale pink ( with orangish center ), single flowers.

'Wisley Primrose'
Fast growing, reaching a maximum size of 1 x 4 feet, with silvery-gray foliage.
The pale yellow, single flowers borne over a period lasting up to 3 months during early to mid summer.