Helping You Become a More Successful Gardener
Plant Search
Michael Charters, www.calflora.net
Cistaceae
Cistus x hybridus
Hybrid Rockrose
This snow-white flowered rockrose is a small enough shrub to fit into almost dry garden where its spring blossoms will literally glow under the moonlight. This hybrid is the result of crossing Cistus parviflorus with the smaller Cistus salvifolius to yield a modest-sized plant. Both parent species are native to southern Europe and adapted to the Mediterranean climate there. The mild wet winters combine with very long, dry summers to produce some of our most attractive drought-resistant plants.
This shrub bears gray green aromatic leaves that are rich in an oil once highly valued in the Old World perfume trade. This same oil makes these plants potentially volatile in high fire-hazard zones. The five-petalled flowers stand out strikingly against the leaves making the plant highly visible. This hybrid rock rose does not tolerate high humidity, desert heat or mountain cold. It can be shorter-lived than other shrubs, but its longevity improves with careful watering. Its modest size recommends it for grouping in a mass or an informal row in lieu of carpet roses and other thirsty shrubs. It adds color and evergreen leaves to a droughty, foundation planting or a touch of elegance to a casual xeriscape.
8 - 1
8 - 10
7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Shrub
Full Sun, Partial Sun
30"-36" / 76.2cm - 91.4cm
4'-5' / 1.2m - 1.5m
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring
Southern Europe
Acidic, Neutral
Well Drained
Clay, Loam, Sand
Drought
Medium
Xeric/Desert, Drought Tolerant
Cushion/Mound-forming
Spring
Showy
White
Gray Green
Yes
No
Single
Matte
Foundation, Mixed Border
Butterflies
© 2006-2012 Preferred Commerce. All Rights Reserved.
