Given the right conditions, cistus will thrive and produce a profusion of pretty summer flowers
It may seem strange to be focusing on plants that appreciate hot and dry conditions after the floods and sodden soil of the last year – and this year’s had its fair share of rain already! But even after a wet winter, the summer may blaze and the soil soon dry out. So we need the right plants. Top of the list must be rock roses, or cistus.
Cistus are not difficult to grow, but they have their needs and there are several easy ways to kill them off simply by giving them unsuitable conditions or the wrong pruning. But these answers to a few good questions will set you up nicely…
Isaw cistus flowering when I was on holiday in Spain. Can Igrow them back home?
Cistus grow wild all around the Mediterranean, where temperatures are warmer than in the UK. But the RHS rates their hardiness as H4, which means they’re hardy in an average winter. But it’s not all about the basic hardiness of the plant. Planting in well-drained soil is essential, as is being careful not to overfeed. It also helps to plant a small plant in the first place, as this encourages roots to grow out of the water-retentive rootball, which can stay too soggy, and out into the garden soil, which will have better drainage.
Are they fussy about where they grow?
Cistus need all day sunshine and well-drained soil but other than that, they need very little care. It’s really simply a matter of giving them the conditions they like. If your garden can’t provide what they need then you can always grow them in a container. If you have clay or waterlogged soil or shade from deciduous or evergreen trees, your conditions won’t suit cistus. The best advice is to choose something else for those situations!
Are the flowers always either white or pink?
Cistus come in dazzling white or in pink shades, from rich sparkling pink to a purplish hue, often with a deep crimson mark at the base of each of the five petals. If you see a plant that looks a little like a cistus but with yellow flowers, it’s probably a halimium, which needs the same conditions as rock roses but tends to have lower and more spreading growth. There is also a hybrid between the two, known as halimiocistus ‘Merrist Wood Cream’, with small creamy flowers.
Can I propagate from my plant?
There are two ways to propagate cistus. After the flowers, cistus produce small pods full of tiny seeds. Occasionally, they’ll drop and germinate around the original planting. The young plants can be dug up, planted in a pot and grown on. The seed can also be collected, or bought, and sown in late summer on a gritty compost and covered with a little grit. Be aware, though, that your new plants may not have the s
