Alan Fradd Rock Rose

Alan Fradd Rock Rose (Cistus x purpurea 'Alan Fradd') is a compact, rounded shrub about 1m to 1.5m tall and wide that is smothered in white, crepe-paper flowers through the warmer months. Each bloom has a yellow centre and a dark maroon spot at the base of every petal. It is a sun loving, waterwise plant that needs very little from you once established.

Why you'll love it

• Big, papery flowers. Open white blooms with a golden centre and maroon spots look like tissue paper, and they cover the shrub through the warmer months.
• Waterwise and tough. It is drought tolerant and frost tolerant once established, even hardy in free-draining soil and a sheltered spot.
• Adaptable. It grows in almost any soil type, thrives in dry Mediterranean air and does not seem to mind the humidity of the southern east coast.
• A handy size. At 1m to 1.5m it fits a small garden, a tub or a pot.
• Bees can find the flowers. The maroon spots guide local bees to the centre of each bloom.

Where it works best

Waterwise and low maintenance gardens. It suits sunny, dry beds that rarely get watered, with other Mediterranean plants such as lavender and rosemary.

Pots and tubs. A large pot of free-draining mix on a sunny terrace holds one plant for years. Water regularly during the first 12 months.

Feature planting. Use it as a specimen or in a group, allowing 1.2m between plants so they develop a good rounded shape.

Growing Alan Fradd Rock Rose in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun, with free-draining soil. It will flower in part shade, but bloom numbers are lower. It thrives in the dry air of the southern states and copes with the humidity of the southern east coast. It is not suited to the wet tropics.

Soil. It grows in almost any soil type, as long as the soil drains freely. Heavy clay should be raised or replaced with a gritty mix.

Water and feed. Water regularly during the first 12 months to help establish a good root system, then it manages on rainfall. After clipping in spring, apply a slow release fertiliser.

Pruning. Clip lightly to shape and tidy in spring if needed. Avoid cutting back into old, bare wood, as it reshoots poorly from it.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Alan Fradd Rock Rose as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly. It arrives as a small, bushy plant and gains its rounded shape over a couple of seasons. Plant it into free-draining soil and keep it watered through its first year.

The tube comes from our grower and is not always in stock. When it shows as sold out, the grower has none right now, and the notify button on this page will email you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Drought tolerant plants
• Low maintenance shrubs
• Plants that suit pots and tubs
• Plants for full sun

Common questions

Do the flowers last long?

Each individual bloom is short lived, as rock roses drop their petals after a day. The shrub produces new buds over the warmer months, so it keeps flowering.

Can I grow Alan Fradd Rock Rose in a pot?

Yes. It suits pots and tubs, provided the mix drains freely and the pot sits in full sun. Water regularly in the first year.

Is it frost hardy?

It is frost and drought tolerant once established, and hardiest in free-draining soil and a sheltered spot.