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CISTUS
Commonly known as Rock rose
Genus of 19 species of evergreen shrubs from dry, stony soils in the Canary Islands, northern Africa, Turkey and southern Europe.
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.
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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 heightGrown for their saucer-shaped, 5-petalled white to dark-pink flowers. Often short-lived.
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Full sunSheltered site.
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Additional Features
Good to knowEach bloom lasts only one day. Good for coastal gardens.
Pests & DiseasesNone.
Place of originCanary Islands, northern Africa, Turkey, southern Europe. -
Garden Location/ConditionsCoastal / windsweptSlightly back from the sea with more shelter
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Soil ConditionsAlkaline / Chalk lovingWell drained, dry, poor to moderately fertile soilGenerally lime tolerant, but can become chlorotic on chalky soils.
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WildlifeButterfly friendly
Buy Varieties of CISTUS
CISTUS x aguilarii 'Maculatus'
white
Gift-wrapping available
CISTUS x argenteus 'Silver Pink'
peach pink, very hardy
Gift-wrapping available
CISTUS x corbariensis
pure white
Gift-wrapping available
CISTUS creticus
purple to rose flowers with a yellow centre and hairy stems
Gift-wrapping available
CISTUS ladanifer
white flowers with a dark red basal stain
CISTUS x obtusifolius 'Thrive'
tough, evergreen shrub with yellow-centred white flowers
Gift-wrapping available
CISTUS pulverulentus 'Sunset'
cerise pink flowers
Gift-wrapping available
CISTUS x purpureus
rosy-crimson flowers with a maroon blotch at the base
Gift-wrapping available
CISTUS x purpureus 'Alan Fradd'
white flowers with red marks at the base of each petal. Often has some flowers which revert in part to rosy-crimson
Gift-wrapping available
Useful extras...
