Practical
Plants

Cistus salviifolius

Rock Rose

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Cistus genus in the family Cistaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Cistaceae
Genus
Cistus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.6 m
Spread
0.75 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The dried leaves are used as an adulterant for marjoram (Origanum majorana)[4][6].

Product or use
Condiment

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A good ground cover plant for the milder areas of Britain[11]. The form 'Prostratus' has been recommended[9].

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Europe - Mediterranean.
Habitat
Dry woods, thickets and banks, often on acid soils and on limestone, from sea level to 1200 metres in the Alpes Maritimes[2][14].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - gather when ripe and store dry[12]. Surface sow in late winter in a greenhouse[3]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 4 weeks at 20°c[3]. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle into individual pots. Grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out the in the following spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[3]. The seed stores for at least 3 years[K]. Cuttings of softish to half-ripe wood, 8cm long with a heel or at a node, June/August in a frame. Roots are formed within 3 weeks[12]. High percentage[12]. Cuttings of almost mature wood, 8 - 12cm with a heel or at a node, September/October in a frame. High percentage[12]. Lift and pot up in the spring, plant out when a good root system has formed[12]. Layering in spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a sunny position in a dry or moist well-drained light sandy soil[2][5]. Withstands drought once it is established[2][7]. Tolerates maritime exposure[8]. Plants are hardy to about -12°c, but they require protection in severe winters[2]. Plants are somewhat hardier when grown in poor soils[5]. Individual flowers only last one day but there is a long succession of them[2][10]. Dislikes pruning or root disturbance[10]. Plants should be pot grown and then planted out in their final positions whilst still small. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[13][10]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[1]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[10]. This species is closely related to C. hirsutus[5].

References

  1. International Bee Research Association. Garden Plants Valuable to Bees. International Bee Research Association. 1981-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  3. Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  5. Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  7. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2

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  8. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

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  9. Royal Horticultural Society. Ground Cover Plants. Cassells. 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-304-31089-1

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  10. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  11. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

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  12. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  13. RHS. The Garden. Volume 112. Royal Horticultural Society 1987-00-00

    ↩

  14. Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1

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