Cistus x pulverulentus 'Sunset'

Magenta Rock Rose

Family: Cistaceae
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Width: 3 to 5 feet
Flower color: Bright magenta-pink flowers with yellow centers
Foliage color: Gray-green leaves with a slightly textured surface
Bloom time: Late spring to summer
Light: Full sun
Water: Low
Maintenance: Low; prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and promote new growth
Growing zone: USDA Zones 8 to 10
Wildlife: Bees and butterflies

About this plant

Cistus x pulverulentus 'Sunset' is an evergreen shrub celebrated for its vibrant flowers and textured foliage. From late spring through summer, it produces an abundance of bright magenta-pink blooms with a sunny yellow center, adding bold color to the landscape. The flowers, with their delicate, crinkled petals, create a charming contrast against the dense, gray-green, slightly hairy leaves.

This cultivar, a hybrid Mediterranean species, was developed for its drought tolerance and extended blooming season. Ideal for sunny borders, rock gardens, or Mediterranean-style plantings, 'Sunset' offers a blend of vivid floral displays and silvery foliage that provides year-round visual interest. Its ability to thrive in challenging conditions makes it a reliable and decorative choice for many garden styles.

Works well in

Sun Gardens · Mediterranean Gardens · Waterwise Gardens · Rock Gardens

Companion plants

Barberry · Butterfly bush · Feverfew · False sunflower · Chives · Snow-in-summer

Design tip

Intense magenta flowers can become a strong color accent without requiring a large plant. Its low, spreading form is especially effective near pale stone or gravel, where the vivid blooms and gray-green foliage create a bold contrast while maintaining a relaxed Mediterranean character.