Rock Rose Alan Fradd

A lovely, large-flowered hybrid rock rose, Cistus x purpureus Alan Fradd is a small, compact, evergreen shrub with a rounded, bushy habit. The lance-shaped leaves are deep green. In June and July, the shrub bears gorgeous, large, white flowers with a maroon blotch at the base of each crumpled, silken petal and a central boss of golden anthers. Each flower lasts for just a day, but flowering continues for weeks, and the blooms are very attractive to butterflies. Rock roses are from southern Europe, and Rock rose Alan Fradd suits a Mediterranean or gravel planting; it can also be grown in a container. It can can suffer in wet or cold winters in colder areas, and needs a sheltered, sunny position and soil which is very well drained and not too rich; in fact it thrives in poor soil. It is a low-maintenance plant which needs little if any pruning, and should never be pruned hard.

Site: Sheltered
Soil:  Any well-drained soil
Position: Full sun
Season of interest: All year; midsummer in particular
Hardiness: Fairly hardy
Height: 3’3” (1m) Spread: 3’3” (1m); sometimes a little larger