We’ve grown a LOT of pink flowered rockrose. This is our favorite by far. The large flowers are clear pink on the edges fading to near white around the boisterous orange/yellow center. This gives each cupped flower a luminous backlit effect. It blooms profusely and the elegant but subtle flower color virtually marries its gray leaved backdrop. Excellent. To 3′ x 4′ in 5 years ‘Jester’ exhibits great cold tolerance as well as drought adaptation. Full sun and well drained soil with little summer water once established. The large (3″) Pink flowers appear for 4-6 weeks in late spring. Fragrant foliage is waxy and could be unpalatable to deer. Long lived for this genus. Colorful, tough plant. Combine with Ceanothus ‘Victoria’ and Halimium ‘Sarah’. Excellent performance on steep slopes.
Genus: Cistus
Cistus ‘Bennet’s White’
Enormous white flowers are incredible while they are born from May to July on this classic rockrose. Resinous, deep green foliage is fragrant, especially as the temperature climbs. The 4″ wide pure white flowers that appear daily remind many of Romneya coulteri Matilija Poppy. To 4′ x 4′ in 5 years for full sun and well drained soil with light summer water. Extremely showy in bloom. Moderate deer resistance.
Halimiocistus x wintonensis ‘Merrist Wood Cream’
For flowers alone this is the most spectacular Rockrose. A cross between Halimium and Cistus produced this remarkable low spreading evergreen shrub to 2′ tall and 3′ wide. In April to June 2″ cream colored single flowers, the base of each petal is a maroon blotch Flowers appear daily for weeks. Attractive felted sage green/gray foliage is handsome even out of bloom. Full sun and well drained ENRICHED soil- these hybrids prefer richer conditions. Little or no water for established plants. Tip prune after flowering to shape. Protected location. Excellent performance in Hell strips. Amazing flowers. Prune very lightly if needed after flowering.