Cistus ladanifer 'Mallorca'


Common name(s): rockrose


Description: evergreen shrub; a wild selection from Mallorca by Kevin Hughes of Spinner's Nursery in England. Uncommonly narrow leaves and large white flowers (7 cm.) with frilly petals from spring into summer. One of the smallest cistus in cultivation.


Height: to 18 in. Spread: to 2 ft.


Position: full sun and lean, well-draining soil


Uses: ornamental-firescaping, landscaping


Winter Hardiness: to 10 F and below


Drought: adapted to 5 months of summer drought

Care: tip-pruning after flowering (especially in the first couple of years) will result in a more attractive, compact plant. Cistus generally won't tolerate or regenerate from hard pruning of older, woody growth.

Notes: it was originally thought to be subspecies sulcatus but since those populations are endemic to Portugal it is probably subspecies ladanifer.