In the heat of summer I’m more interested in camping than staying home to water the garden.
Happily the spring extravaganza of bloom was mostly bulb, and being spring ephemerals, they’re content to dry up & hibernate until the rains come again. But I’m not content with a brown garden in July.
Rock Rose to the rescue.
- Once established, Cistus ‘sunset’ has proven to be one tough-as-nails, evergreen shrub.
- it’s fuzzy leaves make the most of any dew or moisture they find.
- Our local deer find it unpalatable.
- The butterflies & other pollinators gravitate to the energizing magenta flowers.
- The honey fragrance of the blooms makes it a good choice to plant near a high-traffic area.
Those 5 reasons easily convinced me that Cistus is a keeper for our landscape.
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Garden Variety Life 
Hi Susie,
My gorgeous pink one succumbed last winter, while the less attractive, short-blooming (a week in late May/early June?), muddy white ones are the tenacious—nay, vigorous—survivors. Must try your named cultivar.
Cheers, Jean
Yeah, I’m not keen on the white one – – especially as it closes in evening it won’t even give you that ‘glow in the dark’ treat that white flowers are so good for. But really, how can we begrudge any flower? That said, I sure like this hot pink variety 🙂