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CISTUS
Commonly known as Rock rose
All Flower JUN-AUG
Genus of 19 species of evergreen shrubs from dry, stony soils in the Canary Islands, northern Africa, Turkey and southern Europe.
Grown for their saucer-shaped, 5-petalled white to dark-pink flowers. Often short-lived.
C. ladanifer (western Mediterranean) is the source of labdanum, a sticky brown resin used in history as incense. It was gathered by combing the fleeces of goats and sheep which grazed on the shrubs. In the present it is used in perfumery as a subsitute for ambergris (the sperm whale being endangered) and in the tobacco flavourings in electronic cigarette liquid.
Plant Details
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Floweringlocal_floristJanlocal_floristFeblocal_floristMarlocal_floristAprlocal_floristMaylocal_floristJunlocal_floristJullocal_floristAuglocal_floristSeplocal_floristOctlocal_floristNovlocal_floristDec
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Good to know
Each bloom lasts only one day. Good for coastal gardens. -
Place of origin
Canary Islands, northern Africa, Turkey, southern Europe. -
Evergreen
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Dwarf shrubTypically only grows to a maximum of one or two feet in height but there will be some exceptions.
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Medium shrubTypically grow to around 4-6 feet in height
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Butterfly friendly
Planting Tips and Care Advice
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Garden Location/Conditions
Coastal / windsweptSuitable for an open site slightly back from the sea
Cistus - Growing Guide
