About
Cistus monspeliensis is a compact evergreen shrub that reaches up to 1 meter in height. Its foliage consists of linear to lance-shaped leaves that are dark green and prominently veined. In late spring and early summer, it bears dense clusters of small, saucer-shaped white flowers measuring up to 2.5 cm in diameter.
About the genus
Cistus consists of evergreen shrubs featuring simple, opposite leaves. They produce bowl-shaped flowers with five petals that can be white, pink, or purplish. Each flower lasts for just one day, blooming over an extended summer period.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Patio and container plants, Rock garden
- Native to
- SW Europe
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in poor to moderately fertile, well drained soil, in a sheltered position in full sun. Plant out when danger of frosts has passed. Generally lime-tolerant, but may become chlorotic on very chalky soils
- Pruning
- Pruning group 8 or 9. Pinch back after flowering to maintain a bushy habit; does not respond well to hard pruning
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed sown as soon as ripe, or by softwood cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to honey fungus