Rock rose

Sun

Full sun; choose a warm position sheltered from cold, drying winds.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, letting the soil dry between waterings. Established plants need little supplemental water except during prolonged drought.

Soil

Well-drained sandy, gravelly or stony soil; tolerates poor soil and a range of pH levels. Avoid wet clay and sites that stay damp in winter.

Height

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m)

Spread

3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m)

Flowers

Late spring to midsummer; large rose-pink flowers with five dark maroon basal blotches and yellow stamens.

Foliage

Evergreen. Aromatic, narrow oval, dark green to grey-green leaves with a slightly wavy surface.

Growth

Moderate to fast in suitable conditions.

Care needed

Low

• Plant in spring in cooler climates; autumn planting suits mild regions with dry summers.
• Water deeply during the first growing season, allowing the soil to dry between waterings.
• Keep established plants on the dry side; avoid frequent lawn-style irrigation.
• Use a thin gravel mulch, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Avoid routine feeding and rich compost; excessive fertility encourages soft growth.

Pruning. Immediately after flowering, lightly trim the leafy shoot tips to keep the shrub compact. Do not cut into bare old wood, which often fails to regrow.

Spring

Plant in freely draining soil once severe frosts have passed.

Late spring

Check newly planted shrubs for dry soil and water deeply when needed.

Summer

Lightly trim leafy growth after flowering; leave bare woody stems uncut.

Late summer

Take semi-ripe cuttings from healthy, non-flowering shoots.

Autumn

Clear fallen leaves from around the base and check that drainage remains unobstructed.

Winter

During severe cold, protect young plants with horticultural fleece; avoid wrapping them in plastic.

• Group in a sunny gravel garden with lavender and santolina for contrasting foliage and overlapping flowers.
• Use on a dry bank where its broad evergreen shape helps cover exposed ground.
• Place in a sheltered coastal border with rosemary and other drought-tolerant shrubs.
• Repeat along an informal path or terrace edge, leaving room for its natural spread rather than clipping it as a formal hedge.

Garden styles it suits: Mediterranean, Modern Mediterranean, Dry gravel garden, Coastal, Desert / xeriscape and Low-maintenance.

Plant it with: Lavender, Rosemary, Santolina, Russian sage, Bearded iris and Catmint.

Wildlife: The open flowers provide pollen for bees and other visiting insects.

• Root rot in waterlogged soil: improve drainage before planting, use a raised position and avoid overwatering.
• Frost and winter-wind damage: choose a sheltered site and protect young plants during unusually cold spells; assess damaged shoots in spring before removing them.
• Leggy growth or failure to regrow after hard pruning: trim lightly after flowering each year and replace badly overgrown shrubs rather than cutting into bare wood.
• Poor flowering in shade: move young plants to full sun and avoid high-nitrogen feeding.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses; no particular plant part is recognised as poisonous. It is not an edible plant, and eating it may still cause stomach upset.

• Gum rock rose (Cistus ladanifer)

  Usually has white rather than pink flowers, often with similar dark basal blotches, and noticeably sticky, resinous foliage.

• Grey-leaved cistus (Cistus albidus)

  Has broader, soft, pale grey leaves and pink flowers without the prominent dark basal blotches.

• Common rock rose (Helianthemum nummularium)

  Forms a much lower mound with smaller leaves and smaller, usually yellow flowers rather than a substantial evergreen shrub.

Cistus comes from the ancient Greek name for rock roses, while purpureus means purple, referring to the flower colour.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in late summer and root them in a gritty, freely draining medium with protection from frost. Cuttings preserve this hybrid's characteristics; seed-grown plants may differ.

Accepted botanical name

Cistus purpureus

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.