Cistus 'Gordon Cooper'

RHS Plant Profile
rock rose 'Gordon Cooper'
rock rose 'Gordon Cooper' RHS
Award of Garden Merit
Shrubs

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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Cistaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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