Call us: 0800 843 752Free shipping for orders $150 or over
Gift Vouchers

white cistus

White cistus, known for its luminous flowers and tough nature, is a standout shrub for New Zealand gardens. These Mediterranean gems, often referred to as white rock roses, are beloved for their delicate, papery blooms that light up sunny spots with pure white petals and bright yellow centres. Not only do they bring effortless beauty from late spring through summer, but white cistus varieties are some of the most drought-tolerant and low-maintenance plants you can add to your landscape. Their aromatic, evergreen foliage forms a neat, rounded mound that’s perfect for borders, rockeries, and coastal gardens.

White flowers on a Cistus 'Snowmound' plant with green foliage.

Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Cistus ‘Snowmound’ is a compact evergreen shrub that produces a breathtaking display of pure white flowers with golden-yellow centres from late spring through summer. Its grey-green foliage forms a neat, mounded habit, offering year-round structure and texture. Highly drought-tolerant and low-maintenance, this hardy shrub thrives in sunny, dry spots and is ideal for coastal, Mediterranean, and rock gardens. Cistus ‘Snowmound’ provides effortless beauty and reliable seasonal colour with minimal care.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 1.00 m
Spread: 1.00 m
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Modern, Rock
Cistus salviifolius plant with lush green foliage and elegant, white flowers.

Cistus salviifolius

Cistus salviifolius is a low growing shrub featuring dark green foliage and lovely flowers. Pure white flowers with yellow bases are borne from late spring through summer. The contrast in colours between the flowers and foliage is quite aesthetic as it grows to 60 cm tall and 80 cm wide. Cistus salviifolius is often used for adding interest and texture to the garden. It is great for including in mixed borders, planting around outdoor living areas, or mass planting as a groundcover.

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 60 cm
Spread: 80 cm
Flowering time: Spring, Summer
Tolerances: Coastal, Hardy
Garden uses: Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Pool areas
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock
An elegant Cistus lusitanicus white flower with red spots.
Cistus lusitanicus (Rock Rose)

Cistus lusitanicus, commonly known as the Gum Cistus, is a striking evergreen shrub valued for its large, white blooms marked with deep crimson spots...

From$24.23
cercis-texas-white-2
Cercis canadensis Texas White

Cercis canadensis Texas White, commonly known as the White Redbud tree, is a small tree grown for its colourful foliage, great form, and lovely...

From$343.89
Cistus 'Brilliancy' plant with pink flowers and green foliage.
Cistus 'Brilliancy' (Rock Rose)

Cistus ‘Brilliancy’ is a vibrant evergreen shrub celebrated for its striking crimson-pink flowers, each with a yellow centre, blooming profusely in...

From$24.23
Rhododendron 'Cunninghams White' shrub with white flowers.
Rhododendron 'Cunninghams White'

Rhododendron 'Cunninghams White' is a classic evergreen shrub renowned for its masses of elegant white flowers and reliable garden performance. The...

From$28.91
Armeria maritima 'Morning Star White' plant with white flowers.
Armeria maritima 'Morning Star White' (Thrift)

Armeria maritima 'Morning Star White' is a compact and charming perennial valued for its crisp white pompom flowers that rise above tidy clumps of...

From$20.18
Choisya 'White Dazzler' shrub covered in pretty white flowers.
Choisya White Dazzler

Choisya ‘White Dazzler’ is a compact, evergreen shrub valued for its delicate, dark green foliage and masses of small, fragrant white flowers that...

From$24.23
rhaphiolepis-cosmic-white-2
Rhaphiolepis 'Cosmic White'

Rhaphiolepis 'Cosmic White' (Indian Hawthorn) is a compact evergreen shrub admired for its glossy green foliage and masses of brilliant white...

From$34.43
Hypoestes 'Splash White' plant in a pot with lush, white and dark green spotted foliage.
Hypoestes 'Splash White'

Hypoestes 'Splash White' is a fresh and decorative foliage plant valued for its green leaves splashed with crisp white markings. This compact variety...

From$25.58
Escallonia 'White Knight' white flowers above lush, green foliage.
Escallonia 'White Knight'

Escallonia 'White Knight' is an attractive evergreen shrub admired for its glossy foliage and abundant white flowers. This hardy variety produces a...

From$24.23
Callistemon citrinus 'White Anzac' white flowers amidst green foliage.
Callistemon 'White Anzac' (White Bottlebrush)

Callistemon 'White Anzac' is a low growing spreading bottlebrush known for its elegant white flower brushes that appear from late spring through...

From$26.93
An elegant Alstroemeria 'White Buttons' plant with white flowers in a pot.
Alstroemeria White Buttons (Peruvian Lily)

Alstroemeria 'White Buttons' is a compact, clump-forming perennial prized for its masses of white flowers with yellow and green markings. Blooming...

From$42.71
strelitzia-nicolai-
Strelitzia nicolai (White Bird Of Paradise Plant)

Strelitzia nicolai (Giant White Bird Of Paradise) is a bold, architectural plant known for its large banana like leaves and striking white and blue...

From$43.13
Syngonium White Butterfly plants with elegant green foliage.
Syngonium 'White Butterfly'

Syngonium 'White Butterfly' is a beautiful indoor plant admired for its creamy white leaves edged with soft green. It is a vigorous grower and brings...

From$38.57
Michelia 'Fairy White' white flowers with lush, green foliage.
Michelia 'Fairy White'

Michelia 'Fairy White' is a compact evergreen tree admired for its glossy dark green foliage and fragrant pure white flowers that bloom from late...

From$141.61
helleborus-white-magic-2
Helleborus White Magic (Hellebore)

Helleborus 'White Magic' is an early-flowering perennial that produces crisp white blooms in mid to late winter. Its compact size and tidy growth...

From$18.63
Geranium Kashmir White plant in a garden with masses of white flowers.
Geranium 'Kashmir White'

Geranium 'Kashmir White' is a hardy perennial admired for its elegant white flowers and soft, textured foliage. It provides long lasting colour in...

From$21.53
Lomandra White Sands with elegant, variegated foliage in a courtyard garden.
Lomandra White Sands

Lomandra White Sands is a fabulous ornamental grass renowned for its variegated foliage. It features arching, cream, and green-striped leaves and...

From$25.58
Brunfelsia undulata 'White Caps' stunning white flowers.
Brunfelsia 'White Caps'

Brunfelsia 'White Caps' is an attractive evergreen shrub valued for its glossy green foliage and fragrant white flowers that often change colour as...

From$27.53
Cornus 'Eddies White Wonder' white flowers held on trailing stems.
Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder'

Cornus 'Eddie's White Wonder' is a deciduous dogwood tree renowned for its impressive spring blossoms and vibrant autumn foliage. This hybrid...

From$343.89
Lavender 'Castilliano White' plant with white and purple flowers.
Lavender 'Castilliano White'

Lavender 'Castilliano White' is a striking lavender variety celebrated for its pure white flowers held above aromatic grey green foliage. Flowering...

From$24.15
Rosmarinus officinalis 'Alba' shrub with fresh-green foliage adorned with small, white flowers.
Rosmarinus officinalis alba (White Rosemary)

Rosmarinus officinalis 'Alba' is an elegant white flowering rosemary admired for its pure blooms and strongly aromatic evergreen foliage. It offers...

From$21.53
An exquisite flower on 'White Romance' Rose.
Rose White Romance

“White Romance” is a very popular shrub rose that features masses pure white flowers. The showy blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn...

From$38.57
Feijoa White Goose fruit cut in half.
Feijoa 'White Goose'

Feijoa 'White Goose' is an early-maturing variety that produces high yields of large fruit. The fruit has a semi-smooth, light green skin and flesh...

From$35.03
Betula White Spire in a park with a white trunk and lush, green foliage.
Betula 'White Spire'

Betula 'White Spire' is a refined ornamental birch valued for its clean white bark and narrow upright growth habit. This elegant tree brings year...

From$425.13
Rose 'Flower Carpet White' plants for sale at The Plant Company nursery.
Rose 'Flower Carpet White'

Rose 'Flower Carpet White' is a popular ground cover rose valued for its masses of pure white flowers and exceptional disease resistance. This tough...

From$29.63
Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant)

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Alstroemeria, Armeria, Betula, Brunfelsia, Callistemon, Cercis, Choisya, Cistus, Cornus, Escallonia, Feijoa, Geranium, Helleborus, Hypoestes, Lavender, Lomandra, Michelia, Rhaphiolepis, Rhododendron, Rose, Rosmarinus Strelitzia and Syngonium, or related Categories - Feijoa, Grasses, Indoor Plants, Perennials, Bush Roses, Carpet Roses, Evergreen Shrubs, Birch Trees Deciduous Trees and Evergreen Trees.

Search white cistus

What is White Cistus?

The term "white cistus" refers to several species and cultivars within the Cistus genus that produce striking white flowers. Some of the most popular include Cistus 'Bennetts White' (White Rock Rose), admired for its reliably profuse bloom display, and Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant), known for its domed habit and snowy flowers. Cistus ladanifer is another standout, cherished for its large, classic white flowers marked with a maroon splash at the base of each petal, adding a touch of drama to the garden. Cistus salviifolius, sometimes called sage-leaved rock rose, offers resilience and gently crinkled foliage. For those seeking a striking landscape statement, Cistus lusitanicus (Rock Rose) delivers large, eye-catching blooms with wavy petals that create a dreamy effect.

Garden Uses for White Cistus

White cistus is an ideal choice for anyone looking to create a Mediterranean or dry garden aesthetic. These shrubs thrive in free-draining, sandy or stony soil and need very little water once established, making them perfect companions for native New Zealand plants that prefer similar conditions. Plant a group of Cistus 'Bennetts White' (White Rock Rose) at the front of sunny borders, or mix Cistus 'Snowmound' (White Rock Rose Plant) into a rockery or coastal setting for maximum visual impact.

Thanks to their resistance to salty air and wind, white cistus plants are well-suited for seaside gardens across New Zealand. They also partner beautifully with lavender, rosemary, and other drought-hardy Mediterranean herbs. Their evergreen foliage offers structure and interest year-round, while the spring-summer flowers attract beneficial pollinators.

Growing White Cistus in New Zealand

Caring for white cistus is wonderfully simple. Choose a spot with full sun and good drainage—these sun-lovers dislike having their roots wet in winter. Most white cistus are tolerant of poor soils and require little feeding. Occasional light pruning after flowering helps maintain a tidy shape and encourages bushy new growth. Once established, white cistus shrubs can withstand prolonged dry spells and need very little attention—perfect for low-fuss gardeners.

If you’re searching for reliable, beautiful shrubs to fill sunny, exposed parts of your garden, white cistus offers unbeatable value. With their steady white blooms and evergreen foliage, varieties like Cistus ladanifer or Cistus lusitanicus (Rock Rose) are sure to bring lasting brightness to your landscape. Explore our selection of white cistus plants and enjoy enduring Mediterranean beauty in your own Kiwi backyard.


Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Our garden favourites Ficus Black Knight and Rose 'Flower Carpet White' get lots of love, but don’t miss out on a few lesser-known delights: Tradescantia blossfeldiana, Pandorea 'Charisma', and Rosmarinus 'Chef's Choice' (Culinary Rosemary).
–The Plant Company

Explore Garden Inspiration

Sign up to receive a free $10 Voucher You won’t be bombarded with emails, just titbits of quality information from time to time Sign up
Free shipping on orders over $150!

Join our community of happy customers.

4.8

445 Google reviews