About

Cistus ocymoides is a compact, spreading evergreen shrub characterized by its narrow, oval grey-green foliage. In early summer, it produces bright yellow flowers that can reach up to 3 cm in diameter, each petal marked with deep purple at the base.

About the genus

Cistus consists of evergreen shrubs featuring simple, opposite leaves. They produce bowl-shaped flowers with five petals that can be white, pink, or purplish. Each flower lasts for just one day, blooming over an extended summer period.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
West-facing, South-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
0.1-0.5 metres
Spread
0.5-1 metres
Time to full height
5-10 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal
Native to
Iberian Pen., Morocco

Care notes

Cultivation
Grow in well-drained sandy soil in full sun
Pruning
Pruning group 9
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
Generally disease-free