Cistus 'Sarah' (formerly Halimium)
Common name(s): rockrose
Description: evergreen shrub; raised in 1980 by the late Eric Sammons. Gray-green foliage and a rounded growth habit with 1.5 in. blotched yellow flowers from spring into summer. One of the hardiest, most floriferous of the yellow-flowered rockroses. Similar to C. 'Susan' but with smaller, darker maroon blotches on the petals. Parentage: C. lasianthus 'Formosum' × C. ocymoides.
Height: to 3 ft. Spread: to 3 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.