Cistus - Gum Cistus, Rock Rose

(Cis'tus)

DESCRIPTION: This is a group of about twenty hardy and tender, evergreen shrubs found wild from the Canary Islands throughout the Mediterranean region to the Caucasus. These shrubs are commonly known as Rock Roses and Gum Cistus. They are small shrubs, usually attaining a height of only 3 feet. They produce lovely flowers, which are short-lived but are borne in succession for a long period of time. These shrubs are suitable for growing in coastal regions or in alkaline, shallow, or poor soil. They can be grown successfully along dry banks, rock gardens and other similar locations. C. aguilari 'Maculatus' is a tender shrub that produces white flowers. Each pure white petal has a blotch of crimson at its base. C. laurifolius (Laurel Rock Rose) is the hardiest variety that sometimes reaches a height exceeding 6 feet. It has leathery, dark green leaves covered with bloom and white flowers centered with yellow. C. purpureus is a small shrub with reddish stems and slender, dark green leaves with wavy margins. The large, rosy-crimson flowers have a central cluster of bright yellow stamens. Each petal has a dark maroon blotch at its base. C. skanberghii is a tender kind with green stems covered with white fuzz and pink flowers.

POTTING: Rock Roses should be planted in a sunny location in light, well-drained soil. The location for your Rock Rose should be chosen carefully, as these shrubs resent being disturbed. They also do not tolerate pruning well, therefore, only dead wood should be cut away though young plants can be pinched to encourage bushy growth.

PROPAGATION: Seeds may be sown in April, in containers filled with finely sifted sandy soil placed in a cold frame. When the young plants are an inch or so high, they are potted individually in 3-inch pots and set out in the open until October. They should be kept in a frame during the winter. In May, they can be planted outdoors at a distance of 3 to 5 feet from each other. Cuttings may also be made from shoots, 3 to 4 inches long, in the summer. They are inserted in a closed frame until they form roots, at which time they are potted singly in 3-inch pots and kept in a cold frame during the winter. In May, they can be potted outside.

VARIETIES: C. aguilari 'Maculatus'; C. 'Chelsea Bonnet'; C. corbariensis; C. cyprius; C.dansereaui 'Decumbens'; C. 'Elma'; C. 'Grayswood Pink'; C. hybridus; C. ladanifer (Gum Rock Rose); C. laurifolius (Laurel Rock Rose); C. loretii; C. palhinhae; C. 'Peggy Sammons'; C. populifolius & var. lasiocalyx; C. pulverulentus; C. purpureus; C. 'Silver Pink'; C. skanberghii.

Go see DICTIONARY OF BOTANICAL NAMES.

Back to our botanical home page.