Botanical Name: Cistus purpureus
Common Name: Orchid rockrose
Type of Plant: dicot: shrub
Character evergreen
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape a low, fairly wide-spreading plant, with many slender stems forming a loosely rounded shape when young – becomes more dense and mounded with age
Height 2-3' (4')
Spread equal or more
Growth Rate moderate
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors requires full sun at coastal locations; can tolerate shade
Soil prefers dry, well-draining habitats; avoid wet clay soils
Hardiness hardy (zones 11-24); best in sunny dry locales
 
Morphology:
Leaves pinnate, opposite (on thin stems), narrowly elliptic-oblong; rather boat-shaped, dark green above, paler beneath, with wavy margins
Flowers rose-orchid to lavender, large and showy, with 5 papery petals – each having a deep red-maroon spot at the base, numerous stamens
Fruit a small papery capsule
 
Propagation:
seed or softwood cuttings
 
Usage:
a highly valued filler for hot dry landscapes, producing a profusion of flowers; excellent in mass-plantings on slopes, raised planters, etc. where tolerance of heat is needed; mixes well with California native species
 
Landscape Care:
Watering an infrequent deep-soak irrigation during 1st year; needs very little water after establishment
Fertilizing little needed
Pruning selectively head back after blooming; leggy if over-watered
Pests/Diseases relatively free - root rot in poorly drained locations
Special Conditions/Other requires full sun for best flowering
 
Origin: Southern Europe
Family: Cistaceae

Notes:
 
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