Northwest Blooms · Shrubs
Cistus x hybridus 'Mickie'
Mickie Rock Rose
- Family
- Cistaceae
- Height
- 1 to 2 feet
- Width
- 3 to 4 feet
- Flower color
- White flowers with yellow centers
- Foliage color
- Yellow and green variegated leaves, adding year-round visual interest
- Bloom time
- Late spring to early summer
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Maintenance
- Low; prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape
- Growing zone
- USDA Zones 8 to 10
- Wildlife
- Bees and butterflies
About this plant
Cistus x hybridus 'Mickie' is a sun-loving evergreen shrub admired for its showy flowers and vibrant foliage. From late spring to early summer, it produces an abundance of white blooms with sunny yellow centers, creating a cheerful display. The slightly crinkled petals add texture to the flowers, which stand out beautifully against the glossy, green leaves edged with bright yellow variegation.
This cultivar is a hybrid selection prized for its drought tolerance and ornamental value. Its dramatic variegated foliage provides year-round interest, while the profusion of flowers in bloom season makes it a lively addition to borders, rock gardens, or Mediterranean-inspired landscapes. 'Mickie' combines resilience with beauty, making it a versatile choice for a variety of garden settings.
Works well in
Sun Gardens · Mediterranean Gardens · Waterwise Gardens · Rock Gardens
Companion plants
Boxwoods · Dwarf Korean fir · Bergenia · Maiden grass · Snowdrops · Agapanthus
Design tip
Bright variegated foliage gives this rock rose plenty of color even when it isn’t flowering. Surrounding it with quieter gray-green and deep green foliage keeps the effect balanced, while the white flowers add a fresh contrast that feels especially crisp in a sunny planting.
