About

Cistus x obtusifolius Sweet 'Thrive' is a low-growing, evergreen shrub that reaches up to 60 cm in height. It features small, narrow, dark green leaves that provide a lush backdrop. Throughout the summer months, the plant produces an abundance of white flowers with yellow centers.

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, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Plant type
Shrubs
Habit
Bushy
Foliage
Evergreen
Height
0.5-1 metres
Spread
0.5-1 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden, Mediterranean climate plants

Care notes

Cultivation
Grows best in well-drained, poor, sandy, soil in a sheltered site in full sun. Generally lime-tolerant, but may become chlorotic on very chalky soils
Pruning
Pruning group 8 or pruning group 9 if necessary; they do not respond well to hard pruning so old leggy plants are best replaced. Pinch back young plants after flowering to encourage a bushy habit
Propagation
Root softwood cuttings form late spring to early summer; semi-ripe cuttings from midsummer to late summer
Pest resistance
Generally pest-free
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to honey fungus