H. apenninum, H. cinereum, H. glaucum, and H. hirsutum are dwarf shrubby species native to Europe. H. nummularium, also European, has many cultivated varieties with flowers ranging from white to yellow and pink. In eastern North America H. canadense, also called frostweed, H. corymbosum, and H. rosmarinifolium are low-growing plants. H. scoparium, called rock, or sun, rose, is a rushlike shrub that grows to 30 cm (1 foot) in height (but with lower varieties) and is native to California.

Also known as rock rose are related plants of the genus Cistus (family Cistaceae).