Cistus florentinus Repens - Rockrose

Cistus x florentinus Repens is a variety of cistus interesting for its well-spreading vegetation and abundant spring flowering. This shrub forms excellent ground cover in dry, even arid, areas. Its dark green foliage is attractive even outside of flowering: evergreen in winter, it releases a very pleasant balsamic scent in warm weather. This 'creeping' cistus will only thrive in perfectly well-drained soil, not too rich, in a sunny rockery or at the edge of a woodland.

Cistus x florentinus Repens belongs to the family of cistaceae, like all cistus, and also helianthemums. It is the result of cross-breeding between the Cistus monspeliensis and the C. salviifolius 'Repens', with a truly spreading habit. All these plants are native to Mediterranean regions. The Cistus florentinus Repens is therefore a well-branched shrub, with a very spreading habit, reaching 40 to 50 cm (15.7 to 19.7 in) in height, with a spread of 1.25 to 1.50 m, or even more in rich soil. Its growth is quite fast, but the plant dies after about ten years. Flowering takes place in spring (April-May) or early summer (June) depending on the climate. It lasts 3 weeks to a month. The flowers, in round, open corollas are slightly crumpled and 2-3 cm (0.8-1.2 in) in diameter, pure white, enhanced at the heart by numerous bright yellow stamens. The petals overlap slightly. They only last for a day, but will already be replaced the next morning. The evergreen foliage is composed of small, thick, narrow, dark green leaves. They contain fragrant essential oils, which are active in very hot weather.

This very beautiful rockery and poor soil ground cover is perfectly adapted to drought and hardy down to -12/-15°C in dry soil. It will be magnificent on a slope or in a large rockery, forming a magnificent cascade of flowers in spring. Create a bed to accompany your cistus, evoking the scrubland, by mixing the foliage and scents of lavenders, creeping rosemary, thymes, teucriums, and other aromatic perennials. Add, for example, California poppies and dryland euphorbias to bring some dynamism to your composition. You can plant this cistus in coastal gardens: it perfectly withstands sea spray.