91µ¼º½

The delicate, tissue-paper flowers are generally white, pink or purple-red, often with a dark blotch. They adorn these bushy, evergreen shrubs in summer, which range in height from 50cm (20in) to 2m (6â…”ft) tall. The silvery-grey or green leaves may be covered with an aromatic, sticky resin.

A warm position in full sun and very free-draining soil. Cistus grow well in poor, stony ground and many species tolerate chalky, alkaline conditions.

Avoid planting in heavy, wet and overly fertile soils, frost pockets and strong winds, which can damage these shallow-rooted shrubs. Cistus flower poorly in shade, and resent pruning once established.

Cistus rather confusingly shares its common names of rock rose and sun rose with Helianthemum, a bright-flowered, low-growing alpine from the same family.