Rock Rose Cistus x hybridus
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cistus corbariensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- SIS-tus hy-BRID-us
- Description
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Rock Rose is a fast-growing, dense evergreen, mounding, flowering shrub that provides winter interest in the landscape. It is a hybrid of C. populifolius and C. salviifolius and is more likely to be found in nurseries under its older name, Cistus corbariensis (a name taken from the plants native location in the Corbieres Mountains of southern France) . At maturity, the plant can reach 5 feet high and 6 feet wide with bushy leaves and attractive white flowers borne as individuals or as groups of 3. The genus name is from the Greek word 'kistos', which was the name originally used to describe the plant in ancient Greece.
Rock Rose does best in full sun (to encourage flowering) and well-drained soil of any type. It is drought tolerant and does well in salt air on the sea coast. It requires little to no irrigation once established. It is a hardy plant and can tolerate temperatures to 10°F.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Little Miss Sunshine'
One foot high and one foot spread. - 'Mickie' PP23024
Yellow variegated leaves
- 'Little Miss Sunshine'
- 'Little Miss Sunshine', 'Mickie' PP23024
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Little Miss Sunshine'
One foot high and one foot spread. - 'Mickie' PP23024
Yellow variegated leaves
- 'Little Miss Sunshine'
- 'Little Miss Sunshine', 'Mickie' PP23024
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cistus
- Family:
- Cistaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Western Mediteranean
- Distribution:
- France, Spain, Morocco
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Dense
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are white, a little over an inch wide, with a yellow center, 5 petals, and a yellow spot at base of each petal. The flowers are borne on terminal or short side branches, as individuals or in groups of 3. Each flower lasts a day, but blooming continues from spring to summer.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves opposite, simple, ovate to cordate, 1 to 2 inches long and wide, with a wavy margin. The leaves are a dull dark green above, and a lighter green below.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Hedge
- Screen/Privacy
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Salt
