Caring for Rock rose

Once established, zonneroosje requires very little maintenance. It has low water needs and is highly drought-tolerant, so avoid overwatering. In a typical British summer, established plants rarely need watering except during prolonged dry spells. If the soil dries out completely for weeks, water deeply once rather than little and often. In autumn and winter, natural rainfall is more than sufficient—wet winter soil is a greater threat than drought. Feed sparingly in March or April with a light application of general-purpose granular fertiliser or a handful of blood, fish, and bone scattered around the base of the plant. Zonneroosje grows naturally on poor, stony soils and does not need rich feeding. Over-fertilising encourages soft, lush growth that is prone to disease and reduces flowering. On chalky or sandy soils, feeding may not be necessary at all. Zonneroosje is fully hardy in zones 5–9 and needs no winter protection in temperate Europe. Its evergreen foliage provides year-round interest, though leaves may look a little tired by late winter. Remove any damaged or browned foliage in early spring. Pests are rarely a problem. The main threat is root rot caused by poor drainage or excessive winter wet, so ensure the soil remains free-draining. Powdery mildew can occasionally appear in humid conditions or on overcrowded plants; improve air circulation by thinning nearby growth and avoid overhead watering. Refresh the grit mulch every couple of years to keep the crown dry and suppress weeds, which compete for moisture and nutrients in the plant's shallow root zone.