When skies dry, don't feel pressured to increase your watering schedule or risk losing the garden. Rockrose (Cistus spp) is a Mediterranean native that excels in landscapes where other plants flounder. Poor soil, dry summer heat and rocky hillsides only result in abundant colorful blooms that will not only save your slopes, but keep your water bills down as well.

by Melissa Gale Photography »

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Botanical name: Cistus spp
Common name: Rockrose
USDA zones: 7 to 10, depending on species
Water requirement: Little to none
Light requirement: Full sun
Mature size: 3 to 5 feet tall and wide
Benefits: Tolerates wind, coastal conditions, poor soil, drought and arid conditions; plant for erosion control or fire resistance

Shown here: Cistus x bornetianus 'Jester', zones 7 to 9

by Svein Erik Larsen »

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Distinguishing traits. A sun- and heat-loving plant, rockrose makes a colorful and lush heaping ground cover or informal hedge. Cooling foliage and bright flowers enliven landscapes that may otherwise have been left barren.

Cistus crispus, zones 8 to 10, cascades down a rocky path.

by Terra Nova® Nurseries, Inc »

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Once established, rockrose will flourish with little or no care. Blooming profusely through spring and summer, it may also bloom sporadically throughout the rest of the year. Distinctly papery flowers range in shades from vivid pinks to whites and creams — usually with a bright yellow center. When not flowering, rockrose creates a mounding texture of soft gray-green leaves. The leaves of some species even emit a scented resin when the hot summer sun beats down on them.

The hybrid Cistus ‘McGuire’s Gold’ (shown) has a typical form and flowers with the exception of vivid bright green leaves.

by Linda & John Reinecke »

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How to use it. Rockrose, not surprisingly, is very commonly used in rock gardens or where there is a prevalence of gravelly and rocky soil. Dry banks or slopes can be difficult garden spots for both planting and soil stability, and those are areas where rockrose thrives. Plus, its fine texture and informal form contrast well with rocks and gravel as a soft and effective ground cover or low-growing hedge.

Cistus palhinae, zones 8 to 10, shown here in Cape St. Vincent, Portugal, serves as great inspiration for designing with the plant. Scattered throughout the landscape, the plants tie the space together, softly accenting and highlighting the terrain. Without dominating the garden, rockrose provides an enjoyable and unique outdoor experience throughout all seasons.

by Terra Nova® Nurseries, Inc »

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Comments

French Kitsch the pink variety has killed our pretty hummingbird moths here in southwestern France. So be aware !!!! Not sure if the other colours will be as toxic !!

12 months ago · Like

Dig Your Garden Landscape Design Annie, I love Cistus and use it often in gardens I design in Northern Calif. One of my favorites is Cistus ladanifer - Crimson Rockrose. Here's a close-up!

12 months ago · Like ·

alwaysdesigning I love my rockrose; it reseeds prolifically, so plant in a confined area to limit it's area; new plants that pop up can be transplanted easily. I interplanted with daisies and it provides an endless display of color. I live in northeast Texas and it overwinters in the ground and bounces back in the spring; I cut back a few scraggly canes each spring and tidy up the plants

12 months ago · Like

NJ Landscape Design Over here in Gt Britain we have a pink Cistus with a deep pink basal blotch called Cistus x purpureus; so all possible combinations are available! My white Cistus 'Thrive' is utterly smothered in flowers this season-must have been all the wet weather we had. But didn't know it was toxic to moths.