Hoary Rock-Rose

Cistus × incanus

Also known as

Rose Cistus, Rose rock

Cistus incanus03 by Esculapio (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Full Sun

Easy care

Light watering

Half-hardy

H5-H3

RHS hardiness

-15°C

Minimum temperature

Expected size

Height		Spread
1.5m	Max	1.5m
1m	Min	1m

5 years to reach maturity

Flowering

spring
summer
autumn
winter

This plant has no fragrance

More images of Hoary Rock-Rose

Hoary Rock-Rose Overview

Cistus × incanus is a hybrid created by crossing the plants Cistus albidus and Cistus crispus. It is a hardy evergreen shrub with pretty pink flowers which first appear in the summer. The seeds have a hard coating that allows them to stay viable for a long time until a fire cracks them open. The fast-growing seedlings are one of the first to grow after a fire and this plant typically grows to around 1.5m tall and wide. Well suited to plant in poor soils, this plant copes well with full sun and prefers a sheltered position for best results.

Common problems with Hoary Rock-Rose

Generally pest and disease free.

Hoary Rock-Rose Companion Plants

Plant alongside low growing shrubs with similar water requirements.

How to harvest Hoary Rock-Rose

Not usually harvested.

How to propagate Hoary Rock-Rose

Cuttings

Softwood cuttings. Take 10-15cm long cuttings and remove bottom half og the leaves. Place in well-draining soil mixture.

Seed

Seeds in the autumn.

Special features of Hoary Rock-Rose

Pot plant

The rock rose makes a good garden plant, it can also be grown in a large pot.

Attractive flowers

Drought resistant

Grows with root microorganisms that help to absorb water and minerals.

Other uses of Hoary Rock-Rose

Grown for their succession of freely borne, short lived, showy flowers. Suitable for coastal conditions.