Cistus purpureus – Purple Rock Rose
Cistus purpureus – Purple Rock Rose
Cistus purpureus – Purple Rock Rose
Cistus purpureus is a sun-loving Mediterranean shrub that delivers a dazzling summer display with minimal effort. Each bloom is a rich rosy-purple with a distinctive dark crimson blotch at the base of each petal — fleeting but produced in such abundance that the plant is rarely without flower from early summer through to midsummer. Drought-tolerant, fast-growing, and wonderfully aromatic, it is the perfect choice for hot, dry borders, gravel gardens, and coastal planting schemes.
Why Choose Cistus purpureus
- Vivid rosy-purple flowers with striking dark crimson basal blotches — June to July
- Exceptionally drought-tolerant once established — thrives in poor, dry soils
- Aromatic grey-green foliage provides year-round interest and fragrance
- Fast-growing and free-flowering — makes an impact in its first season
- Ideal for Mediterranean, gravel, coastal, and low-maintenance gardens
- Attracts bees and pollinators throughout the flowering season
Growing Guide
- Position: Full sun; thrives in hot, exposed spots
- Soil: Poor to moderately fertile, well-drained or dry; tolerates sandy and chalky soils
- Hardiness: Hardy in most of the UK (RHS H4); provide shelter in colder regions
- Ultimate height: 1–1.2m with a similar spread
- Pruning: Lightly trim after flowering to maintain shape; avoid cutting into old wood
Planting & Care Tips
- Plant in the sunniest, most sheltered spot available for best performance
- Excellent drainage is essential — avoid heavy, waterlogged soils
- No feeding required — rich soils can reduce flowering and hardiness
- Mulch with gravel rather than organic matter to keep the crown dry
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Planting Instructions
Planting Instructions
Cistus purpureus thrives in the hottest, driest spots in the garden. Plant in spring or early summer in full sun with excellent drainage for best performance and longevity.
- Plant in the sunniest, most sheltered position available — south-facing is ideal
- Excellent drainage is essential — avoid heavy, waterlogged, or clay-rich soils
- No feeding required — rich soils reduce flowering and can shorten the plant's life
- Dig a planting pit twice the width of the pot and the same depth; backfill without added fertiliser
- Water in well after planting; once established, Cistus is highly drought-tolerant
- Mulch with gravel rather than organic matter to keep the crown dry and warm
- Lightly trim after flowering to maintain a compact shape; avoid cutting into old wood as it does not regenerate well
Size & Specification
Size & Specification
Supplied as a healthy pot-grown specimen ready to plant.
- Species: Cistus purpureus (Purple Rock Rose)
- Form: Bushy, mounding evergreen shrub
- Ultimate height and spread: 1–1.2m
- Flowering period: June to July
- Growth rate: Fast
- Hardiness: RHS H4 — hardy in most UK conditions; shelter in colder regions
Delivery & Dispatch
Delivery & Dispatch
Grown and dispatched from Stoneybrook Nursery in Lancashire. All plants are carefully packaged to arrive in excellent condition, ready to plant.
- Dispatched by specialist plant courier — typically within 3–5 working days
- Carefully packaged to prevent transit damage
- UK mainland delivery only
- For specific delivery date requests, please contact us before ordering
Wildlife & Ecological Notes
Wildlife & Ecological Notes
Cistus purpureus is a valuable pollinator plant, producing abundant flowers that attract bees and beneficial insects during its June to July flowering period.
- Highly attractive to bumblebees and solitary bees during the flowering season
- Supports hoverflies and other beneficial insects through the summer months
- Aromatic foliage may deter some garden pests naturally
- Excellent choice for hot, dry gardens where options for wildlife planting can be limited
- Best paired with other Mediterranean and native flowering plants for maximum biodiversity