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

Delivery

Grown and dispatched from Stoneybrook Nursery. All plants are carefully packaged to arrive in excellent condition, ready to plant.