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Shrubs

Cistus albidus

white-leaved rock rose

A compact, bushy, evergreen shrub with oblong, white-felted leaves that gives them a pale green-grey appearance. Papery flowers borne in summer are pale rose-lilac with golden-yellow centres

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Cistaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Genus: Cistus are evergreen shrubs with simple, opposite leaves and 5-petalled, bowl-shaped, white, pink or purplish flowers, each lasting a single day, over a long period in summer
Name status: Correct
Plant range: SW Europe

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in poor to moderately fertile soil in sheltered site in full sun. Usually lime tolerant, but can become chlorotic on very alkaline soils

Propagation

Propagate by seed or from softwood cuttings in summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Rock garden
Mediterranean climate plants
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Banks and slopes
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 8 or pruning group 9. Generally does not respond well to hard renovation pruning

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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