About
A compact, bushy evergreen shrub to 75cm tall, with narrow grey-green leaves and clear pale pink flowers 3cm wide in summer.
About the 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
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, City and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Gravel garden, Rock garden
Native toSicily, Cyprus
Care notes
CultivationGrows best in well-drained, especially poor, sandy, soil in a sheltered site in full sun. Generally lime-tolerant, but may become chlorotic on very chalky soils
PruningPruning 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
PropagationRoot softwood cuttings form late spring to early summer; semi-ripe cuttings from midsummer to late summer
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus