Cistus x corbariensis (Rock Rose) – Evergreen Flowering Shrub (2L Pot)

A low mounded evergreen that opens fresh white flowers with golden centres every morning through early summer.

Cistus x corbariensis is one of the hardiest of the rock roses, making a bushy mound of about 60cm to 100cm tall and wide. Crimson tinted buds open to pure white, saucer shaped flowers with a boss of golden stamens, and although each flower lasts only a day the plant keeps producing them for weeks. The small, wavy, aromatic green leaves cover the plant all year.

It wants full sun and poor, stony, free draining ground, which is why it belongs in a gravel garden, on a bank or in a pot rather than in rich border soil. Once established it needs very little water, and it takes wind and salt in its stride by the sea. It is hardy in most of Britain on light soil, but a wet winter on heavy ground will kill it, and it is naturally short lived. It will not reshoot from old wood, so trim only the soft young growth after flowering and never cut it back hard.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Rock rose, sun rose
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: About 60cm to 100cm tall and 50cm to 100cm wide
• Growth Habit: Bushy, compact, mounded evergreen shrub
• Perfect For: Gravel gardens, sunny banks, rock gardens, coastal gardens, borders and containers
• Foliage: Small, wavy, aromatic green leaves, held all year
• Flowering Time: Late spring to summer
• Planting Position: Full sun, in an open spot. Grows well in a container of gritty compost.
• Soil Type: Sharply drained, poor to moderately fertile, sandy or stony soil. It dislikes rich ground and hates winter wet.
• Hardiness: Hardy in most of Britain on light free draining soil. A wet winter on heavy ground will kill it.
• Maintenance: Low. Trim young growth lightly after flowering. Never cut into old wood.
• Seasonal Interest: Spring and summer
• Type: Hardy evergreen flowering shrub