Cistus 'Little Gem'

Common name(s): rockrose

Description: evergreen shrub; raised by Eric Sammons in the 1980s from a seedling of C. 'Decumbens' that was repeatedly back-crossed with C. inflatus. Rounded growth with narrow foliage and white flowers with maroon blotches from spring into summer. Somewhat rare in cultivation but the parent of several popular hybrids. Parentage: C. 'Decumbens' × ? × C. inflatus.

Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 3 ft.

Position: full sun and lean, well-draining soil

Uses: ornamental, weed-suppressing groundcover

Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below

Drought: adapted to 4+ months of summer drought