Cistus spp.
shrubby rock-roses
Mediterranean region and Atlantic islands
Overview
Cistus spp. is a genus of about 20 evergreen shrubs in the rock-rose family (Cistaceae), native to the Mediterranean region, the Canary Islands, and southwestern Europe. Plants form rounded, twiggy bushes 1-6 ft (0.3-1.8 m) tall and wide, with narrow to oval, often sticky and aromatic leaves that release a resinous scent in heat. From late spring into summer they open broad, five-petalled flowers 1-4 inches (2.5-10 cm) across in white, pink, or magenta, frequently with a dark blotch at the base of each petal. Each papery flower lasts only a day, dropping its petals by afternoon, but a succession of buds keeps the bush in flower for weeks. The genus is adapted to hot, dry, sunny sites and poor, stony soil, and it withstands salt wind and drought once established. Cistus is short-lived, often declining after 5-10 years, resents wet winter soil and hard pruning, and is hardy only to about 15-20°F (-9 to -7°C), limiting it to mild and Mediterranean climates.
Native Range
Native to the Mediterranean basin and nearby Atlantic islands, from Portugal and Morocco east to the Caucasus, on dry hillsides, scrub, and stony ground. Several species and many hybrids are grown in mild-winter gardens worldwide.Suggested Uses
Used in dry gardens, gravel gardens, sunny banks, and coastal plantings where drought and salt wind limit other shrubs. The evergreen mounds suit low-maintenance, water-thrifty borders and Mediterranean-style schemes. Plants also grow in large containers of free-draining mix in cold-winter areas where they are sheltered over winter.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 6'
Width/Spread2' - 6'
Bloom Information
Flowering runs from late spring into summer (May-July), with each flower lasting a single day and a long run of buds extending the display over several weeks. The open flowers draw bees and other insects during the morning. Little seed display follows, as the petals drop cleanly.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White, pink, or magentaFoliage Description
Green to gray-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow in full sun on sharply drained, poor to average soil; sandy, gravelly, and rocky ground suits the genus, and chalk is tolerated. Established plants are highly drought- and salt-tolerant and need no summer water in most climates. Wet, heavy, or rich soil shortens their already brief life and encourages soft, floppy growth. Most species are hardy only to about 15-20°F (-9 to -7°C), roughly USDA zones 8-10. Plants resent hard pruning into old wood and seldom resprout from it, so size is managed by light tip-trimming. Cistus is short-lived and is replaced every several years as plants decline.Pruning
Light tip-trimming after flowering keeps plants bushy, taking only soft current growth, since cuts into bare old wood rarely resprout. No hard renewal pruning is attempted. Replacement from cuttings or young plants is the usual way to renew an aging, leggy specimen.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons