Rockrose or Cistus

Rockrose or Cistus (lat. Cistus) — a genus of perennial flowering plants of the family Rockroses (Cistaceae). The genus comprises about 20 species distributed in the Mediterranean, from Morocco and Portugal to the Near East.

Deciduous, semi-evergreen or evergreen erect or prostrate-ascending shrubs, subshrubs, turf-forming perennials, less often annual herbs.

Leaves simple, ovate, lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, narrowed downward into a petiole, or sessile, felted on both sides or only beneath, arranged opposite or alternate. Leaves with or without stipules.

Flowers regular, bisexual, solitary, in racemes or in many-flowered inflorescences. Petals broadly ovate, white, pink to red and raspberry, yellow or orange. The fruit is a capsule with three or five valves, opening by longitudinal slits. Seeds numerous.

Many species have been introduced into cultivation since the early 19th century, especially in England, as groundcovers for greening rocky slopes and rocks, and for creating rock gardens. Individual flowers have a short flowering duration (no more than one day).

They hybridize easily, which has made it possible to create a large assortment of garden forms.
Some species have medicinal value as tonics; the gum of some species is aromatic and used in perfumery.

Cistus tauricus - Cistus tauricus Prese

Represents a low-growing shrub with pubescent shoots 0.5-1 m high. Leaves opposite, petiolate, 2-5 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. Flowers lilac-pink, terminal, solitary or grouped two to three in partial umbels. Fruit a many-seeded capsule 1 cm long.

Cistus ladaniferus - Cistus ladaniferus L.

A compact shrub 100-150 cm high and 50-70 cm in diameter. Stem brown below, greenish-brown above. Leaves long-acuminate, sessile, very glossy, leathery, 5.5 cm long and 1.2 cm wide; flowers terminal, solitary, white, with five petals, 9 cm in diameter;

Cistus laurifolius - Cistus laurifolius L.

A spreading shrub 80-90 cm high and wide. Stem brown below, green above. Leaves ovate, shortly acuminate, with short petioles, slightly glossy, covered with a waxy grayish bloom, 7 cm long, 3 cm wide. Leaves and shoots leathery, dense. Flowers terminal, in raceme-like inflorescences, grouped six to ten together, white, with five petals, 8 cm in diameter.

Location: provide the warmest, sunniest site protected from cold winds.

Soil: requires fairly fertile soil with good drainage.

Care: consists of regular watering, feeding and weeding. .

Propagation: mainly by green cuttings in autumn.

Zone: 6-10