Cistus crispus L.

Key facts

Flower colour : pink with metallic sheen in central zone
Flower diameter : 4cm
Height & Spread : 10cm x 60cm
Habit : prostrate

Notes : leaves wavy-edged; sepals longer than petals; flowers with very short pedicels. Sticky, distinctively aromatic foliage – sickly sweet, rather cloying. Not fully hardy.

Variants : I have a very attractive clone with pale pink flowers (RHS Colour Chart ref. 65A/67C) from France (see below) and an upright form from Sicily.

N.B. The very popular cultivar ‘Sunset’ is often mistakenly sold as Cistus crispus ‘Sunset’. It is in fact a hybrid and belongs in Cistus x pulverulentus.