Cistus a drought-resistant, disease-resistant, versatile plant, requires little maintenance. Commonly known as rockrose, you can grow this plant in poor soils, seaside locations, drought-prone environments and in hot, unforgiving climates.
This makes rockrose a smart choice for gardeners who sometimes forget to water, or who may not be around enough to care for more demanding plants. Rockroses don’t need much pruning, which makes them low-maintenance plants.
There are about twenty species of Rockroses, and they come from a variety of Mediterranean settings including the Caucasus mountains, the Mediterranean basin, and the Canary Islands.
Rockroses genus name, Cistus, comes from the Greek word kistos, which means “evergreen shrub.“
Rockrose is so-called because the blooms resemble old-fashioned, single peddled roses and they prefer growing in rocky settings.
HOW TO GROW CISTUS
Nothing could be easier than growing rockrose. Plant the shrubs in a location with full sun and deep soil where they can put down spreading roots. They grow in almost any type of soil as long as it drains freely, including poor soils where other shrubs struggle to take hold. Rockrose plants are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 8 through 11.
Soil
The plant does well in poor soil and tolerates very dry conditions. Gravelly, well-draining soil is preferred.
Watering
It takes about a year for Rockrose to establish itself. During this time, you should water weekly.
Provide deep watering to encourage the development of deep roots.
In the plants’ second year, reduce watering to one thorough watering every third week.
Be sure to soak the soil completely and drench the entire root ball. Be careful not to overwater as this may encourage excessive growth, as well as fungal diseases.
Limit feeding Rockrose to once per year. Use a slow-release, general-purpose fertilizer intended for flowering plants. Granulated fertilizer works best.
Sprinkle it on the ground underneath the plant and rake it into the top of the soil to a depth of about an inch.
Deadwood Pruning
You may periodically prune deadwood on a rockrose without causing negative effects. Use sharp, sterilized pruning shears to cut away growth on a plant that displays no leaves or flowers. Do this once a year to keep the plant looking healthy.
Propagation
This can readily be achieved by seed or cuttings. Not all forms of cistus set any seed and cuttings of this plant are easily rooted. The cuttings are best taken in late summer and rooted in mild heat.
Seeds should be collected and sown in a cold frame as soon as they are ripe in the autumn. They can also readily be stored over winter and sown in the spring. If you grow several varieties of cistus in your garden do not expect the seedlings to all come true!
Propagate this plant with wood cuttings.
- During the summer months, trim new growth shoots 3” – 4” inches long.
- Dip the cutting into the rooting hormone and poke it into a clean potting medium in a small pot.
- Place the cutting in a warm, still, sunny area.
- Water it once a week during the summer, autumn and winter months.
Pests
If overwatered or kept in a low light area, Rockrose may suffer from aphids.
