Purple Rock Rose

Cistus x purpureus

Pronunciation: SIS-tus pur-PUR-ee-us
SKU #02460
8-11

Your climate might be too cold for this plant:

Change Location
A tidy, compact, sun and heat-loving shrub with showy rose-purple blooms with maroon spots. Tolerates drought, poor soil, even some neglect! Terrific as a rock garden accent, for mass plantings, or for use as an informal divider. Evergreen.
LIGHT: Full sun
WATER: Once established water during dry spells.
SIZE: Moderate growing; reaches 4 ft. tall, 4 to 6 ft. wide.

Retailers Near You

No Retailers found within 50 miles of your zipcode

This Plant's Growing Zones: 8-11

USDA Cold Hardiness Zone Map

Your USDA Cold Hardiness Zone:

Your climate may be too cold for this plant

Change Location
Bloom TimeLate spring into summer
Deciduous/EvergreenEvergreen
Special FeaturesEasy Care, Improved Pest and Disease Resistance, Waterwise, Compact Form
Problems/SolutionsCoastal Exposure, Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Drought Tolerant
Growth RateModerate
Growth HabitRounded
Flower AttributesShowy Flowers
Landscape UseBorder, Container, Hedge
Design IdeasThis popular Rock Rose is at home in the traditional landscape and the rugged dryland garden. Beautiful in bloom, it looks fine as a single specimen or in a group to fill overly large planting areas. Makes a heat-tolerant background and foundation plant for full sun plantings. Fits along fence lines and spreads enough to be a filler too. Its muted foliage color and unique textural quality is valuable for complementing rugged conifers and wild-looking perennials. Even does exceptionally well in the reflected heat street side or along the driveway.
Flower ColorPurple
Foliage ColorGreen
Companion PlantsAloe (Aloe); Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum); Yarrow (Achillea); Sedum (Sedum); Red Yucca (Hesperaloe); Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe)
Care InstructionsGrows easily in average to poor, well-drained soils. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates moderate drought. Apply a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a formal appearance, prune annually after flowering.
LoreOil harvested from the rockrose plants was known as labdanum, a valuable alternative to rare whale ambergris in the ancient perfume trade.
Details
Bloom TimeLate spring into summer
Deciduous/EvergreenEvergreen
Special FeaturesEasy Care, Improved Pest and Disease Resistance, Waterwise, Compact Form
Problems/SolutionsCoastal Exposure, Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Drought Tolerant
Growth RateModerate
Growth HabitRounded
Flower AttributesShowy Flowers
Style
Landscape UseBorder, Container, Hedge
Design IdeasThis popular Rock Rose is at home in the traditional landscape and the rugged dryland garden. Beautiful in bloom, it looks fine as a single specimen or in a group to fill overly large planting areas. Makes a heat-tolerant background and foundation plant for full sun plantings. Fits along fence lines and spreads enough to be a filler too. Its muted foliage color and unique textural quality is valuable for complementing rugged conifers and wild-looking perennials. Even does exceptionally well in the reflected heat street side or along the driveway.
Flower ColorPurple
Foliage ColorGreen
Companion PlantsAloe (Aloe); Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum); Yarrow (Achillea); Sedum (Sedum); Red Yucca (Hesperaloe); Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe)
Care
Care InstructionsGrows easily in average to poor, well-drained soils. Water deeply, regularly during the first growing season to establish an extensive root system. Once established, reduce frequency; tolerates moderate drought. Apply a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a formal appearance, prune annually after flowering.
History
LoreOil harvested from the rockrose plants was known as labdanum, a valuable alternative to rare whale ambergris in the ancient perfume trade.

Retailers Near You

No Retailers found within 50 miles of your zipcode

About Us

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly

100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr.
in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.

We have been pioneers and craftsmen in the art of growing plants for nearly 100 years. Since our founding in Southern California by Harry E. Rosedale, Sr. in 1926, we have been absolutely dedicated and obsessed with quality.