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Rock Rose Cistus x hybridus

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Cistus corbariensis
Phonetic Spelling
SIS-tus hy-BRID-us
Description

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:
  • 'Little Miss Sunshine'
    One foot high and one foot spread.
  • 'Mickie' PP23024
    Yellow variegated leaves
'Little Miss Sunshine', 'Mickie' PP23024
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#broadleaf evergreen#winter interest#fast growing#flowering shrub#deer resistant#poor soils tolerant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Little Miss Sunshine'
    One foot high and one foot spread.
  • 'Mickie' PP23024
    Yellow variegated leaves
'Little Miss Sunshine', 'Mickie' PP23024
Tags:
#showy flowers#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#broadleaf evergreen#winter interest#fast growing#flowering shrub#deer resistant#poor soils tolerant
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Dense
    Mounding
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Walkways
    Landscape Theme:
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Barrier
    Hedge
    Screen/Privacy
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Salt