Common Rock-rose is a low-growing, creeping, evergreen shrub that likes sunny chalk grassland, cliffs and rocks. It flowers from June to September and can grow in dense clusters, colouring the grey-green landscape bright yellow. Common Rock-rose provides plenty of nectar for various bees and is also the foodplant of several species of butterfly such as the Brown Argus, Green Hairstreak and rare Silver-studded Blue.
The Common Rock-rose is characteristic of chalk and limestone grasslands. Areas of rare and unique wildlife, chalk grasslands have been likened to rainforest for the diversity of species they hold. But they are being lost at an alarming rate due to changes in land use causing the decline of grazing: it's estimated that we've lost 80% of our chalk grassland over the last 60 years. The Wildlife Trusts manage many grassland nature reserves for the benefit of the rare wildlife they hold. You can help too: volunteer for your local Wildlife Trust and you could be involved in everything from scrub-cutting to stockwatching.
