Cistus ‘Snow White’

Common Name:
Rock Rose ‘Snow White’

Description:
Cistus ‘Snow White’ is a hardy, sun-loving Mediterranean shrub prized for its dazzling white blooms and drought-tolerant nature. This compact and rounded variety features dark green, slightly crinkled foliage that forms a dense evergreen mound. In late spring and early summer, the plant bursts into bloom with an abundance of pure white, papery flowers, each adorned with a golden-yellow centre. While each bloom lasts only a day, the plant produces so many buds that it appears in constant flower for weeks. Exceptionally well-suited to Melbourne’s hot, dry summers and poor, sandy soils, Cistus ‘Snow White’ thrives in full sun with excellent drainage and minimal maintenance. It is ideal for coastal gardens, Mediterranean-style landscapes, mass plantings, and dry slopes. Its low water needs and resilience to wind and salt spray make it a strong performer in tough conditions, while its refined look ensures a place in more formal settings as well.

Form:
Shrub - Small
Shrub - Medium

Mature Size:
Height: 60–90 cm
Width: 80–100 cm

Aspect:
Full Sun

Flowering:
Flowers in Late Spring
Flowers in Early Summer

Flower Colour:
White
Yellow Centre

Key Attributes:
Drought Tolerant
Suitable for Pots
Bee Attracting
Low Maintenance
Evergreen
Coastal Tolerant
Heat Tolerant
Perennial
Deer Resistant (generalised from European climate use)

Toxicity:
Not known to be toxic to humans or animals.

Companion Plants:
Lavandula angustifolia
Rosmarinus officinalis (Salvia rosmarinus)
Salvia ‘Heatwave Glimmer’
Convolvulus cneorum
Euphorbia characias