The sun rose only opens its pretty flowers when there is sunshine and temperatures above 20 °C. In the evening, when it gets dark, the flowers close again; when it rains and on cold days they remain closed.
Is the sun rose a dwarf rose?
The sun rose is not a dwarf rose, but belongs to the rockrose family (Cistaceae). It grows 15-30 cm high and blooms in different colors from May to September/October. Sunroses are hardy and are well suited for rock gardens and small beds.
Perhaps this is where the sun rose gets its name. It's hard to believe that it is quite winter hardy. Sunflowers grow to a height of around 15 – 30 cm. There are about 175 different species that can have white, yellow, pink, orange or red flowers. Depending on the species, the flowering period lasts from May to September or October.
Is the sun rose a “real” dwarf rose?
The sun rose is only very distantly related to roses and therefore also to dwarf roses. While dwarf roses are simply small roses that belong to the rose family (Rosaceae), sun roses are botanically part of the rock rose family (Cistaceae). In retail, this difference is often not made so clear. They have a similar height, but look quite different.
Planting the sunflower
The sun rose prefers a location in full sun and fits very well in a rock garden. It is best to plant it in spring in humus-rich, permeable soil. It can also be slightly calcareous. Planting in autumn is also possible. Due to its small stature, it is also ideal for planting in a pot or sufficiently large balcony box.
How to care for your sunflower
The sun rose doesn't need a lot of care, but without any attention it will certainly give you less joy. In spring, give it a good layer of mulch mixed with some gravel, this will retain moisture in the soil and promote growth and resistance of the plant.
You should water the sun rose regularly, but not too much at once to avoid waterlogging. About once a month give it a portion of plant fertilizer (€6.00 on Amazon) so that it blooms profusely. It is best to cut off wilted flowers immediately, then the sun rose will sprout again and you can enjoy the beautiful colors for a long time.
The most important things in brief:
- Growth height approx. 15 – 30 cm
- numerous flower colors
- Flowering period: May to September/October
- water regularly
- fertilize once a month
- hardy
Tip
The sun rose fits perfectly into rock gardens and small beds.
