Cistus ‘Snow Fire’
at Digging Dog

Cistus

Rockrose

This genus from the Mediterranean region fortunately grows exceptionally well in our mild climate. These evergreens are called Rockroses for their conspicuous single papery blooms, resembling wild rose blossoms. Though these last only a day, they arrive in such profusion, carpeting the ground beneath, that one can count on color for 2 or 3 months.

Fast growing and appreciative of well drained sites, they tolerate drought, poor soil, ocean winds, salt spray and even desert heat. Cistus vary from low spreaders to tall, imposing bushes, and are terrific for informal hedging and screens.

Cistus ‘Snow Fire’ 

Regarded by Eric Sammons as perhaps the most successful of his unreleased hybrids, this well-bred Cistus claims Cistus populifolius subsp. major and Cistus inflatus as its parents. ‘Snow Fire’ closely resembles ‘Snow White’, except for a slightly smaller, more spreading stance and its decorated blooms, whose blazing marks undoubtedly kindled the “fire” in this cultivar’s name. Dainty white overlapping petals surround a golden eye, and each is brushed by a prominent burgundy-red patch at its base. The bright green, wavy-edged leaves and reddish stems respond quite well to pruning.

Blooms April–August.

Size: 4'–4-1/2' high x 4'–5' wide; hardy to zone 8.

Cistus ‘Snow Fire’ (S-0560)
Each $8.50
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Other selections in this genus

• Cistus x aguilarii ‘Maculatus’
• Cistus ‘Ann Baker’
• Cistus ‘Anne Palmer’
• Cistus creticus f. albus ‘Tania Compton’
• Cistus x dansereaui ‘Decumbens’
• Cistus x dansereaui ‘Jenkyn Place’
• Cistus ‘Jessamy Beauty’
• Cistus ladanifer var. petiolatus ‘Bennett’s White’
• Cistus ‘Little Gem’
• Cistus monspeliensis ‘Vicar’s Mead’
• Cistus x oblongifolius
• Cistus palhinhaii ‘Red Eye’
• Cistus x pauranthus ‘Natacha’
• Cistus populifolius
• Cistus x purpureus ‘Alan Fradd’
• Cistus ‘Silver Pink’
• Cistus ‘Snow White’