Cistus ×platycepalus
Common name(s): rockrose
Description: evergreen shrub; vigorous, arching growth and small white flowers (4 cm.) from spring into summer. Very floriferous and hardy. Occasionally sprouts from the base which is extremely useful in filling gaps left by damaged or dead branches. Parentage: C. monspeliensis × C. inflatus.
Height: to 5 ft. Spread: to 5 ft.
Position: full sun and lean, well-draining soil
Uses: ornamental
Winter Hardiness: to 5 F and below
Drought: adapted to 4 months of summer drought
Distribution: Portugal, Spain, France
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: our clone (and the clone most commonly found in the U.S.) was from wild material collected in France and shared with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh who distributed it to Robert Page who further distributed it to the U.S. for OSU's Rockrose (Cistus spp. and Halimium spp.) Evaluation for Western Oregon