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Cistus salviifolius - L.

Common Name Rock Rose, Salvia cistus, Sage Leaf Rock Rose
Family Cistaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry woods, thickets and banks, often on acid soils and on limestone, from sea level to 1200 metres in the Alpes Maritimes[11, 89].
Range Europe - Mediterranean.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Cistus salviifolius Rock Rose, Salvia cistus, Sage Leaf Rock Rose


http://www.legambientearcipelagotoscano.it/
Cistus salviifolius Rock Rose, Salvia cistus, Sage Leaf Rock Rose

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Late spring. Form: Spreading or horizontal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Cistus salviifolius is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.8 m (2ft 7in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year, in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Ground Cover;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Condiment

The dried leaves are used as an adulterant for marjoram (Origanum majorana)[177, 183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

A good ground cover plant for the milder areas of Britain[208]. The form 'Prostratus' has been recommended[197].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Ground cover

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Ground cover, Massing. Requires a sunny position in a dry or moist well-drained light sandy soil[11, 182]. Withstands drought once it is established[11, 184]. Tolerates maritime exposure[188]. Plants are hardy to about -12°c, but they require protection in severe winters[11]. Plants are somewhat hardier when grown in poor soils[182]. Individual flowers only last one day but there is a long succession of them[11, 200]. Dislikes pruning or root disturbance[200]. Plants should be pot grown and then planted out in their final positions whilst still small. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus[88, 200]. The flowers are very attractive to bees[108]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200]. This species is closely related to C. hirsutus[182].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Propagation

Seed - gather when ripe and store dry[78]. Surface sow in late winter in a greenhouse[164]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 4 weeks at 20°c[164]. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle into individual pots. Grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out the in the following spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[164]. The seed stores for at least 3 years[K]. Cuttings of softish to half-ripe wood, 8cm long with a heel or at a node, June/August in a frame. Roots are formed within 3 weeks[78]. High percentage[78]. Cuttings of almost mature wood, 8 - 12cm with a heel or at a node, September/October in a frame. High percentage[78]. Lift and pot up in the spring, plant out when a good root system has formed[78]. Layering in spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Cistus albidusRock RoseShrub1.0 6-9 FLMNDM10 
Cistus creticusRock Rose, Cretan rockroseShrub1.0 7-10  LMNDM223
Cistus ladaniferLabdanum, Common gum cistusShrub1.5 6-9 FLMNDM223
Cytinus hypocistus  0.0 -  LMHSNM11 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

L.

Botanical References

1189200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

R.G. Page   Tue Apr 27 07:23:12 2004

Link: The Cistus & Halimium Website Wide information on all Cistus & Halimium species, hybrids & cultivars

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