Care of the shrub Cistus x pulverulentus or Magenta Rock Rose |
The genus Cistus, family Cistaceae, comprises 20 species of shrubs native to the Mediterranean region. Some species are: Cistus x pulverulentus, Cistus parviflorus, Cistus monspeliensis, Cistus ladanifer, Cistus creticus, Cistus albidus, Cistus villosus, Cistus x skanbergii, Cistus salviifolius. Common name: Magenta Rock Rose. Cistus x pulverulentus is a natural hybrid between the Cistus albidus and Cistus crispus species native to the western Mediterranean. They are aromatic evergreen shrubs with a compact bearing that reach 60 cm (1.96 feet) in height and 1 meter (3.28 feet) in width. They have hairy, gray-green leaves and wavy margins that wrinkle in dry season. The flowers are large and appear in groups of 3-6. They bloom from mid-spring to early summer. Magenta Rock Rose is used in dry and sunny areas of the garden, on rockeries and slopes and even in pots. It's perfect for Mediterranean gardens by the sea. Cistus x pulverulentus prefers full sun exposure and high temperatures. It resists frost down to -10 ºC (14 ºF). The soil must drain very well; they grow in rocky, poor and limestone soils. Planting is done in spring. These low-maintenance plants with good resistance to drought need moderate watering, always waiting for the substrate to have dried well. Magenta Rock Rose appreciates a little slow-release mineral fertilizer in spring. Prune lightly after flowering to strengthen the plant and keep it compact. Cistus x pulverulentus is a resistant plant to the usual pests and diseases. Magenta Rock Rose propagates by seeds sown in spring or by cuttings in late summer. |
Images of the shrub Cistus x pulverulentus or Magenta Rock Rose |