Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by Cistus Nursery

Show all photos

Cistus x obtusifolius

Also Known As

Cistus obtusifolius
Rock Rose

Plant type

shrub

size

H: 2'-3'
W: 3'-4'

planting zones

7b-10b

More Options

Cistus x obtusifolius plant details

Cistus x obtusifolius is a fast-growing broadleaf evergreen shrub with green foliage. In spring and summer white flowers emerge followed by red fruit. Attracts bees and butterflies making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun - mostly sun and occasional - low water. Drought tolerant once established. Prefers to be dry in summer. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in acidic, alkaline, average, clay, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant, seaside / salt tolerant, verticillium wilt resistant and wind tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Cistus x obtusifolius

Plant type: shrub
Plant family: cistaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 3 FT - 4 FT - wide, 2 FT - 3 FT - tall
Flowers: white blooms in spring and summer
Uses: fall interest, floriferous, rock garden, showy seedheads, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Cistus x obtusifolius

USDA Zones: 7b - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly sun
Watering frequency: occasional - low
Resistant to: heat, seaside / salt, verticillium wilt and wind
Soil needs: acidic, alkaline, average, clay, gritty, lean, rocky and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

This dwarf (to 3'x 3') silky-leaved shrub also offers 2" white golden-centered summer flowers... so nice in border, rock garden or container; brought from Portugal in 1827. S/M-D/GDr

By: Forestfarm

Rounded evergreen shrub with small white flowers with yellow eye. Great for rock gardens or xeriscaping as they are very drought tolerant once established. Growth Rate fast

By: Garden World

An easy going rock rose that is also striking, blooming abundantly from late spring well into summer, covering the deep green, evergreen foliage with masses of white flowers followed by attractive, reddish seedheads that persist into the fall. To 3' tall x 3' wide; easily kept smaller trimming after the blossoms fade. As with all cistus, best in full sun where the soil is lean and drains well. Needs little summer water once established. Frost hardy to 5 °F, mid USDA zone 7.

By: Cistus Nursery

Garden photo gallery of Cistus x obtusifolius

By: Cistus Nursery

By: Mulchmaid

By: Mulchmaid

By: Mulchmaid

By: Alan Bertin

Gardening facts about Cistus x obtusifolius plant

How to Grow Cistus x obtusifolius

Sun Exposure
- sun - mostly sun
Water Needs
- occasional - drought tolerant
Water Needs
- dry in summer
Soil Needs
- clay
- acidic
- alkaline
- adaptable
- average
- lean
- well-drained
- rocky
- gritty
Special Situation
- heat tolerant
- seaside / salt tolerant
- wind tolerant
- verticillium wilt resistant