Cistus 'Thrive' (Rock Rose) – Evergreen Flowering Shrub (3L Pot)

A compact rock rose carrying large pink flowers with dark maroon blotches from late spring into summer.

Cistus 'Thrive' makes a neat bushy shrub of about 60cm to 90cm tall and wide. Its saucer shaped flowers are a clear pink with a dark maroon blotch at the base of each petal, and although every flower lasts only a day the plant opens a fresh set morning after morning through early summer. Bees and butterflies work them all day. The dark green, lightly aromatic leaves stay on the plant all year.

Give it full sun and free draining, poor to moderately fertile soil. Once established it is remarkably drought tolerant, which makes it a natural for gravel gardens, sunny banks, coastal planting and pots. 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 give it a light trim after flowering and never prune hard.

Cultural Information

• Common Name: Rock rose, sun rose
• Fully Grown Height and Spread: About 60cm to 90cm tall and 60cm to 90cm wide
• Growth Habit: Compact, bushy evergreen shrub
• Perfect For: Borders, gravel gardens, coastal gardens, sunny banks and containers
• Foliage: Dark green, lightly aromatic evergreen leaves
• Flowering Time: Late spring to summer
• Planting Position: Full sun, in an open spot. Grows well in a container of gritty compost.
• Soil Type: Well drained, poor to moderately fertile. It tolerates sandy and chalky soils and hates waterlogging.
• Hardiness: Hardy in most of Britain on light free draining soil. A wet winter on heavy ground will kill it.
• Maintenance: Low. Light trim after flowering. Never cut into old wood.
• Seasonal Interest: Spring and summer
• Type: Hardy evergreen flowering shrub