rock rose

Rock Rose should be watered well and deeply, about once a week. During hot, dry spells, water more often, making sure the soil is moist but not saturated. During cold spells, reduce watering, allowing the soil to partially dry between watering. Re-potting or fertilizing should be done annually in late winter or early spring. With the right care, Rock Rose will continue to grow and flower beautifully.

Rock roses prefer full sun, but can tolerate light shade. They should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, ideally between the hours of 8am and 4pm. Provide full sun in the spring and summer, but allow some afternoon shade in the hottest months of the year to prevent too much heat stress on the plant. Avoid exposing your rock rose to full sun during the hottest part of the day, especially in the summer. In the fall and winter, rock roses can tolerate some shade, so they can share the garden bed with shade-tolerant plants.

Rock rose (Helianthemum mutabile) should be pruned after flowering has stopped, usually from June to July. When pruning, remove spent flowers and trim back overgrown stems. Cut the stems back to a bud, but do not cut into old wood or create a bare stem. If the plant has become overly leggy and has fewer blooms, cut the stems back to encourage the next flush of blooms. Pruning too harshly can reduce flowering. Take care not to cut away too much of the plant; trim lightly and at random.