Introducing...
Cistus
Common name: Rock rose
Delicate yet fleeting, each bloom only lasts a day but they're produced in great profusion. This colourful summer display, on robust and extremely drought-tolerant shrubs, makes cistus a stalwart of Mediterranean, gravel and coastal gardens, and the perfect choice for many tricky planting spots.
Looks
The delicate, tissue-paper flowers are generally white, pink or purple-red, often with a dark blotch. They adorn these bushy, evergreen shrubs in summer, which range in height from 50cm (20in) to 2m (6⅔ft) tall. The silvery-grey or green leaves may be covered with an aromatic, sticky resin.
Likes
A warm position in full sun and very free-draining soil. Cistus grow well in poor, stony ground and many species tolerate chalky, alkaline conditions.
Dislikes
Avoid planting in heavy, wet and overly fertile soils, frost pockets and strong winds, which can damage these shallow-rooted shrubs. Cistus flower poorly in shade, and resent pruning once established.
Did you know?
Cistus rather confusingly shares its common names of rock rose and sun rose with Helianthemum, a bright-flowered, low-growing alpine from the same family.
Growing guide
How to grow cistus
All the information you need to grow & care for cistus in your garden.
Cistus we recommend
Cistus × cyprius var. ellipticus 'Elma'
rock rose 'Elma'
- 1–1.5 metres
- 1–1.5 metres
Cistus × lenis 'Grayswood Pink'
rock rose 'Grayswood Pink'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 1–1.5 metres
Cistus × aguilarii 'Maculatus'
spotted white rockrose
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Cistus × cyprius var. ellipticus 'Elma'
rock rose 'Elma'
- 1–1.5 metres
- 1–1.5 metres
Cistus × lenis 'Grayswood Pink'
rock rose 'Grayswood Pink'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 1–1.5 metres
Cistus × aguilarii 'Maculatus'
spotted white rockrose
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.5–1 metres
Useful advice
Drought-resistant gardening
Frost damage
Sandy soils: plants for
Trees and shrubs: planting
Get involved
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