Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

Cistus albidus

white-leaved rock rose

A compact, bushy, evergreen shrub with oblong, white-felted leaves that gives them a pale green-grey appearance. Papery flowers borne in summer are pale rose-lilac with golden-yellow centres

Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Grey Silver Green
Summer Gold Purple Pink Yellow Grey Silver Green
Autumn Grey Silver Green
Winter Grey Silver Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Cistaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Cistus are evergreen shrubs with simple, opposite leaves and 5-petalled, bowl-shaped, white, pink or purplish flowers, each lasting a single day, over a long period in summer

Name status

Correct

Plant range
SW Europe

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor to moderately fertile soil in sheltered site in full sun. Usually lime tolerant, but can become chlorotic on very alkaline soils

Propagation

Propagate by seed or from softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Rock garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 8 or pruning group 9. Generally does not respond well to hard renovation pruning

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.