rockrose

Any of several plants in the genera Helianthemum and Cistus in the family Cistaceae. They come mainly from the Mediterranean region. Many species and hybrids of both genera are widely cultivated as garden plants.

Helianthemum species are mainly small, creeping plants, often with woody stems. They include the white-flowered H. apenninum and the yellow-flowered H. lavandulifolium, both found on dry, rocky ground and growing to around 50 cm/20 in.

Cistus species are upright evergreen shrubs, having mostly pink or purple flowers, which resemble roses. Both the white-flowered C. ladanifer, which grows to 2.5 m/8 ft, and the smaller pink-flowered C. creticus produce ladanum resin, used in soap-making and perfumery.