Digging Dog Nursery Shrubs

Cistus ladanifer var. petiolatus
‘Bennett’s White’
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 ladanifer var. petiolatus ‘Bennett’s White’ full sun

From afar, its easy to mistake this Cistus’ pure white, 5 in. wide flowers for those of a Romneya. Against cinnamon-colored stems and two-toned leathery leaves that are a glistening bright green on top and silver beneath, the frilly, unusually large, gold-centered blooms deliver an awe-inspiring presentation.

Yielding a sticky, sweetly fragrant resin known as Labdanum, the vigorous growing ‘Bennett’s White’ can be planted with Lavandula ‘Ana Luisa’ in a dry Mediterranean garden where its superlative flowers and pleasant aroma will undoubtedly turn quite a few heads.

Blooms April–May.

Size: 4'–5' high x 4' wide; hardy to zone 8.

Cistus ladanifer var. petiolatus Bennett’s White (s-0596)
Each $8.00
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Customer Comment:

“The clematis I ordered was especially impressive--nicely staked, sporting two new shoots.  The roots of all the plants were very well developed and I'm looking forward to enjoying all of them this season and many more to come.”

~Patricia in California


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