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Cistus 'Gordon Cooper'
  • RHS AGM

rock rose 'Gordon Cooper'

A vigorous spreading evergreen shrub with lance-shaped leaves and white flowers to 5cm across, with a prominent deep maroon blotch at the base of each petal

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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
1.5–2.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4
Botanical details
Family
Cistaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Cistus are evergreen shrubs with simple, opposite leaves and 5-petalled, bowl-shaped, white, pink or purplish flowers, each lasting a single day, over a long period in summer

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Will grow well in poor soils but may become chlorotic with age on chalky soils. Needs a sheltered position in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Rock garden
  • Ground cover
  • Banks and slopes
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Pruning group 8 or pruning group 9. Does not respond to hard pruning

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus

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