Cistus ×purpureus 'Alan Fradd'
Common name(s): rockrose
Description: evergreen shrub; a white-flowered sport of Cistus ×purpureus (which has pink flowers with crimson blotches). Rounded growth with aromatic, narrow foliage white flowers (9 cm.) with crimson blotched petals from spring into summer. Parentage: C. ladanifer × C. creticus.
Height: to 6 ft. Spread: to 6 ft.
Position: full sun and lean, well-draining soil
Uses: ornamental
Winter Hardiness: to 5 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: 'Jenkyn Place' has been erroneously sold as 'Alan Fradd' regularly in California and Oregon (including by us for awhile). The true 'Alan Fradd' has larger flowers, more reddish stems, and generally longer, more narrow leaves than 'Jenkyn Place'. Ocassionally, some flowers will have a small pink-stripe reversion to Cistus ×purpureus.