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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.
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.
Further Reading....
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Evergreen
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Dwarf shrub - Typically only grows to a maximum of one or two feet in height but there will be some exceptions.
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Medium shrub - Typically grow to around 4-6 feet in height - grown for their saucer-shaped, 5-petalled white to dark-pink flowers. Often short-lived.
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Full sun - sheltered site. -
Additional Features - Good to know - each bloom lasts only one day. Good for coastal gardens. -
Pests & Diseases - none. -
Place of origin - Canary Islands, northern Africa, Turkey, southern Europe. -
Soil Conditions - Alkaline / Chalk loving
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Well drained, dry, poor to moderately fertile soil - generally lime tolerant, but can become chlorotic on chalky soils.
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Wildlife - Butterfly friendly
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Cistus - Growing Guide
Buy Varieties of CISTUS
CISTUS creticus >
Commonly known as: Rock Rose.
Purple to rose flowers with a yellow centre and hairy stems
CISTUS ladanifer >
Commonly known as: Common gum cistus, Labdanum.
White flowers with a dark red basal stain
CISTUS x purpureus >
Commonly known as: Rock rose.
Rosy-crimson flowers with a maroon blotch at the base
CISTUS x purpureus 'Alan Fradd' >
Commonly known as: Rock rose.
White flowers with red marks at the base of each petal. Often has some flowers which revert in part to rosy-crimson
Useful extras...
Fertilisers & Feeds - Vitax
Q4 Pelleted Fertiliser
A useful fertiliser suitable for use on a wide variety of plants. Q4 provides all the nutrients and trace elements essential for vigorous growth, abundant flowering and ripening of fruit.
3 options from £6.00
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
Rootgrow mycorrhizal fungi
Recommended by the RHS. Contains Rootgrow™ mycorrhizal fungi. Suitable for all trees and shrubs (except rhododendrons, azaleas, heathers, cranberries and blueberries)
2 options from £6.00
Fertilisers & Feeds - Empathy
All-purpose Seaweed Stimulant
All-purpose organic concentrated seaweed feed that is a ready to use, derived from sustainable harvested kelp, that can be used on all outdoor and indoor plants, except acid loving plants.
Perfect used in conjunction with Rootgrow™.
Only £7.50
