Cistus Purpureus

2-3 Litre Pot

• RHS: Award of Garden Merit 
• Position: Full sun
• Soil: Fertile, well drained
• Growth rate: Average
• Flowering period: June – July
• Hardiness: H4
• Eventual height: 1m
• Eventual spread: 1m

Cistus purpureus, also known as Rock Rose, and recipient of the prestigious RHS Award of Garden Merit, is a low growing, spreading shrub forming a dense mound of wavy edged, narrow, mid-green leaves, upon which the large yellow centred, purplish-pink flowers appear, each delicate petal having a plum red blotch at its base, although lasting for only one day each flower is immediately followed by a new one providing a succession of colour from late Spring to early Summer, highly attractive to the butterflies and other beneficial insects in the garden.

Looking After Your Cistus Purpureus

Generally pest and disease free, an easy to grow shrub in many if not all locations. This low maintenance, drought resistant plant will benefit from a sunny position in all types of garden from Cottage planting schemes to City gardens and coastal areas, these Cistus will tolerate most soils, but do prefer a poor, free draining, dry position away from any wet conditions making this an ideal shrub for ground cover on a bank or slope, also as a patio/ container feature. Cistus do not like to be cut hard back so require very little pruning, any light pruning to maintain shape or to prevent from spreading too far should be done after flowering.