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Key characteristics

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

Shrubs

Cistus x pulverulentus 'Sunset'

Magenta Rock Rose

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.

Light

Full sun

Water

Low

Bloom time

Late spring to summer

Find this plant

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.

Printable plant sheet (PDF)