Cistus calycinus

RHS Plant Profile

calyx-like rock rose

John Fielding

Synonyms

Halimium commutatum, Cistus commutatus, Halimium libanotis misapplied, Cistus libanotis misapplied, Helianthemum libanotis misapplied, Halimium calycinum

Shrubs

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A spreading, compact bushy shrub with dark-green leaves and bowl-shaped sunny yellow flowers summer and autumn.

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 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 West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H3
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Cistaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy, Spreading branched
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: Correct
Plant Range: SW Europe, N Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Plant in well-drained, sandy soil in full sun, though it will tolerate most soil types

Propagation

Semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Mediterranean climate plants
Low Maintenance
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 9

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free