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White Rockrose in midsummer after blooming, showing the compact neat mounding form and grey-green wavy-margined foliage in a dry Mediterranean garden.
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Broadleaf Evergreen Shrubs

Cistus x hybridus

White Rockrose

Cistaceae
Western Mediterranean — Iberian Peninsula, southern France, Italy, and northwestern Africa; a naturally occurring hybrid found where parent species overlap in maquis scrubland

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At a Glance

TypeShrub
HabitMounding
FoliageEvergreen
Height2-3 feet (60-90 cm)
Width3-4 feet (90-120 cm)
Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

6 - 10
Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9Zone 10
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDeer ResistantDrought Tolerant
Maintenancevery low

Overview

Cistus x hybridus is white rockrose (hybrid rockrose), a mounding evergreen shrub growing 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) tall and 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) wide. White papery 5-petaled flowers 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) with a yellow stamen center in May-June (5 weeks). Each flower lasts one day — new flowers open each morning. Gray-green ovate rugose leaves 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm). In Cistaceae. Syn. C. x corbariensis. A naturally occurring hybrid: C. populifolius × C. salviifolius. The hardiest Cistus — tolerates zone 6 (to about 0°F / -18°C). More compact than C. ladanifer. Short-lived (8-15 years) — this limited lifespan is the primary limitation. Do not prune into old bare wood (no regeneration). Do not irrigate in summer once established — summer water promotes root rot. Fire-adapted (regenerates from seed after fire). Drought-tolerant. Deer-resistant. Non-toxic. Zones 6-10. Full sun. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Native to the western Mediterranean — Iberian Peninsula, southern France, Italy, and northwestern Africa. A naturally occurring hybrid found where parent species overlap in maquis scrubland.

Suggested Uses

Grown in Mediterranean-climate gardens, dry borders, and on slopes, spaced 3-4 feet (90-120 cm). Hardiest rockrose. Summer-dry. Sharp drainage. Fire-adapted. Non-toxic. Zones 6-10.

How to Identify

Identified by white papery flowers with yellow stamens on a compact mounding evergreen shrub with gray-green rugose foliage. The compact mounding habit and the gray-green foliage distinguish C. x hybridus from the taller C. ladanifer (dark green sticky foliage, crimson blotches). In Cistaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 3'
Width/Spread3' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green
gray

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~5 weeks
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Spring
Late spring to early summer (May-June). White papery 5-petaled flowers 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) with yellow stamen center. Each flower lasts 1 day; new daily. 5 weeks. Bee- and butterfly-visited.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, 5-petaled, 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm), papery and crinkled, with a yellow stamen center; each flower lasts one day — new flowers open each morning

Foliage Description

Gray-green, ovate, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm), with slightly wavy margins and a rugose (wrinkled) texture; evergreen year-round

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Requires 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.5(Alkaline)
357912
Soil Types
loamsandrockychalk
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun (6-8 hours). Well-drained sandy, rocky, or chalky soil pH 6.0-8.5. Do not irrigate in summer once established. Sharp drainage required. Do not prune into bare wood. Short-lived (8-15 years). Hardiest Cistus (zone 6). Fire-adapted. Non-toxic. Deer-resistant. Zones 6-10.

Pruning

Pinch or lightly trim new growth in early spring (March-April) to maintain shape. Do not cut into old bare wood. Remove dead branches only.

Pruning Schedule

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early spring

Maintenance Level

very low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic