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Xela's Garden

Sun Rose / Cistus 'Betty Taudevin?'

Genus: Cistus.

Species: Cistus purpureus.

Planted 05.09 Vistabile Lounge front border
Bought 05.09 Morrisons £1.99 each or £3 for 2 plants

Cistus purpureus
Type Shrub (Multi-stemmed Plant), Evergreen, Ground cover, Flowering
Form Low Growing or Spreading PlantSize Low Border / Edging / Ground Cover Plant (up to 50cm height)
Colours Cerise Flowers (Summer), Medium green Foliage
Care Some Maintenance Required - Tough Plant
Hardiness Half hardy, Drought Tolerant, Seaside Friendly
Growth Medium Growing Plant

Cistus purpureus description: This semi-hardy low growing shrub is suited to sunny dry borders. Deep purple blossoms are borne through out the summer, complimenting attractive dark green foliage and spreading habit. 1.m wide x 80cm.

Cistus purpureus cultivation notes: No other flowering shrub will tolerate such tough dry conditions yet continue to produce blossom for so long and with such impact. Cistus requires a hot dry location away from the wet and cold damaging winds if it to live out its short life to best effect; it despises wet heavy soils - but will flourish on poor well drained soils, especially chalky soils. Prune dead wood in spring - avoid heavy pruning - preferring to trim to shape. Ideal planted alone or in drifts on hot sunny bank.

Plant Strengths: Sun loving draught tolerant plant; All round tough plant suitable for problem areas; Evergreen foliage for all year round colour and screening; Suitable for container growing; Suitable for exposed coastal planting; Tolerates full sun and sandy, drought-prone soils.
[Source: www.findmeplants.co.uk/plant-cistus-purpureus-0640.aspx]

Cistus:
Common Name: Sun Rose

Cistus are woody shrubs with often sticky green leaves and silk-like flowers borne in profusion in early summer. They are drought tolerant and like well-drained soil in and full sun.

Shape plants when young by pinching out shoots, They can become woody and sparse when old but they are easy to strike from cuttings taken from non-flowering shoots in summer. In our experience they do not re-shoot from old wood, so don't cut back hard.

Some species and varieties can be frost tender. All the varieties we sell have been hardy with us for a number of years unless stated. All are evergreen.

Cistus x. purpureus: Masses of deep pink blooms at a peak from late May through June producing a real wow factor in our garden. Produces a lesser number of blooms through July and August. Sticky deep green leaves. Gets to be a big bush about 3ft x 3ft (90x90cm). Very hardy and reliable. RHS Award of Garden Merit.
[Source: www.specialperennials.com/Other_Perennials/Plant_List_Cistus.htm]

Photos of this plant

  • Sunrosecistuspurpureuscloseupvistabileloungeborderjune_11
  • Sunrosecistuspurpureusvistabilefrontloungeborderjune_113

Reminders for this plant

Due almost 15 years ago:

Trim

Shape plants when young by pinching out shoots, They can become woody and sparse when old. In our experience they do not re-shoot from old wood, so don't cut back hard.

Take cuttings

They can become woody and sparse when old but they are easy to strike from cuttings taken from non-flowering shoots in summer. In our experience they do not re-shoot from old wood, so don't cut back hard.

Due about 14 years ago:

Prune

Prune dead wood in spring - avoid heavy pruning - preferring to trim to shape.
Shape plants when young by pinching out shoots, They can become woody and sparse when old. In our experience they do not re-shoot from old wood, so don't cut back hard.

Due almost 14 years ago:

Trim

Shape plants when young by pinching out shoots, They can become woody and sparse when old. In our experience they do not re-shoot from old wood, so don't cut back hard.

Due about 13 years ago:

Tidy

Prune dead wood in spring - avoid heavy pruning - preferring to trim to shape.
Shape plants when young by pinching out shoots, They can become woody and sparse when old. In our experience they do not re-shoot from old wood, so don't cut back hard.

Trim

trim to shape.....shape plants when young by pinching out shoots, They can become woody and sparse when old. In our experience they do not re-shoot from old wood, so don't cut back hard.

Due almost 13 years ago:

Take cuttings

They can become woody and sparse when old but they are easy to strike from cuttings taken from non-flowering shoots in summer. In our experience they do not re-shoot from old wood, so don't cut back hard.

Due about 12 years ago:

Prune

Prune dead wood in spring - avoid heavy pruning - trim to shape ...when young by pinching out shoots, They can become woody and sparse when old.....they are not inclined to re-shoot from old wood, so don't cut back hard.

Due almost 12 years ago:

Take cuttings

They can become woody and sparse when old but they are easy to strike from cuttings taken from non-flowering shoots in summer. They tend not re-shoot from old wood, so don't cut back hard.

Due about 11 years ago:

Prune

In spring, see previous notes

Due almost 11 years ago:

Take cuttings

In summer, see previous notes