Cistus obtusifolius - Rockrose

Cistus x obtusifolius is a small shrub, wider than it is tall, appreciated for its long spring to summer flowering of white blooms with golden hearts. It forms a large cushion adorned with small dark green leaves, decorative even in winter and outside of flowering. Native to scrub vegetation and Mediterranean maquis, it is an excellent shrub for dry soil, perfect in rockeries and sunny flower beds.

Cistus obtusifolius is a natural hybrid between Cistus inflatus and C. salviifolius. Not demanding in terms of soil, as long as it is poor and rather dry in winter and summer, this small bush will withstand even short frosts of around -10° C to -12° C (14° F to 10.4° F), once well established. Its growth is quite fast, and its habit is both bushy and spreading. This cistus reaches about 50 cm (19.7 in) in height and 70 cm to 80 cm (27.6 in to 31.5 in) in width in a few years. Its development will be more vigorous in rich and most soil, but its foliage will be less dense and its lifespan shortened. Flowering begins in May in warm regions, in June in cooler regions. It can last into summer if the growing conditions are not too dry. At the ends of the branches, small single flowers with a diameter of 4 cm (1.6 in) appear, formed by 5 slightly crumpled petals, which are pure white in colour. The centre of the flower is occupied by a bouquet of golden yellow stamens. Each flower falls in the late afternoon, releasing a shower of petals on the ground. However, the buds are countless, ensuring a flowering that lasts for several weeks. Its small leaves are evergreen in winter, measuring 2 cm to 4 cm (0.8 in to 1.6 in) in length, with undulate edges and a rough texture. They are a beautiful dark green, becoming more greyish in summer. Its root system is both deep and ramified, so powerful that it manages to infiltrate between fractured rocks to extract the slightest trace of moisture from the depths, while its surface roots capture the moisture from the soil. Its lifespan varies between 10 and 12 years in the garden.

Cistus obtusifolius is a plant for rockeries and poor soils, and is perfectly adapted to drought. Its delicate flowers hide a strong temperament and a robustness that withstands any test. Create an evergreen flower bed by mixing the foliage and fragrances of lavender (blue, white, pink), rosemary (creeping or upright), thyme (Thymus. vulgaris, T. polytrichus), sage (Salvia x jamensis or S. officinalis), oregano, teucriums (Teucrium chamaedrys, T. x lucidrys, T. hircanicum), California poppies, catmints, ballotas, and dry soil euphorbias (Euphorbia characias, E. cyparissias). Growing in large pots is possible, by ensuring good drainage and providing abundant but infrequent waterings in summer, allowing the substrate to completely dry out between waterings.