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Hardiness: USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: From herbaceous stem cuttings From softwood cuttings From semi-hardwood cuttings From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse From seed; sow indoors before last frost From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel
Seed Collecting: Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
On Oct 16, 2009, purplesun from Krapets Bulgaria (Zone 8a) wrote:
This is the hardiest rock rose and one of approximately three species, native to Bulgaria.
It emits a pleasant aroma when bruised or in hot weather, and blooms nicely. Doesn't like to be shaded or crowded out by other plants, or else it looks tattered, like mine does.
Provide as much sunshine as possible and plant at least several, to compensate for the sparse foliage.
On Aug 5, 2008, saya from Heerlen Netherlands (Zone 8b) wrote:
I grow this shrub from seeds collected in wild. I have different Cistus in my garden, so plants will not come not true from its seeds. Robert G. Page: "...Seed, unless collected in the wild, will not usually breed true. This is because most species are self-incompatible (one individual's flowers require pollen from a different individual to produce fertile seed). In the wild this presents no problem, although hybrids do commonly appear, but in cultivation an isolated plant or even a group propagated commercially from the same stock plant will often not be capable of self-pollination and therefore any fertile seed produced must have arisen from pollination by a different species or hybrid grown nearby..." In the garden they are easy shrubs. Perfect wintergreen! Not all Cistus are hardy, but C. laurifolius is one that can have very low temps. What I love the most of it is the scent of its sticky foliage. Some Cistus exude a highly aromatic gum or resin, called ladanum or labdanum, which has been used in incenses since ancient times and is a valuable ingredient of perfumes. Even with humid weather, but more in warm sunshine it scents the air..a sultry heavy fragrance that makes me long for the sunshine and warmth of France or Italy.. Sometimes I can find my home in the street by using my nose.. In 2008/2009 we had a harsh winter and for about three weeks temps that went down to -22 C (-7.6 F). It has survived this without a blink and has stayed perfectly wintergreen as always.
Easy to grow, requires very little care. Grows quickly and gets quite large - 3'. Blooms (June) pass quickly : ( but folliage is very nice. In Pacfic NW watering is virtually unnecessary (draught tolerant).
On Aug 28, 2002, smiln32 from Oklahoma City, OK (Zone 7a) wrote:
Rockroses can be pinched or lightly pruned for bushiness, but they do well without being pruned at all. Each flower on this plant lasts for only one day. The foliage is also lightly aromatic.
One vendor has this plant for sale.
