Cistus x hybridus Second Honeymoon ['Rencis'] PP 20,410 (Second Honeymoon Rockrose) - Evergreen mounding shrub 4 to 5 feet tall and about equal in width with opposite ovate leaves that are dark grey green toward the centers that are surrounded by yellow to creamy white margins which become tinted with orange at the onset of cooler weather in autumn. In early to late spring appear the flowers, emerging from red-tinted buds at the tips of the branches opening to 1 1/2-inch-wide flowers of a pure white with a yellow spot at the petal base and bright yellow stamens.
Plant in full sun in most any soil so long as it is well- drained. Requires little to no irrigation once established. Plants of this parentage are considered to be among the hardiest of the rockroses. Cistus x hybridus is listed as tolerating temperatures to 10°F. In cold tolerance tests conducted by Neil Bell, Extension Horticulturist with Oregon State University and it showed little or no damage during the trial that ran from 2006 to 2009 where the coldest temperature recorded was 17° F. Cistus x hybridus also is a good choice for gardens near the seacoast.
Cistus x hybridus is a natural hybrid between Cistus salviifolius and Cistus populifolius, that is found growing in southern Europe. It is also called Cistus x corbariensis, so named for the Corbieres Mountains of southern France but the name Cistus x hybridus is considered to be the most current and is listed as such by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Source List, the International Plant Names Index (IPNI) and Robert G. Page's National (British) Collection of Cistus and Halimium website. The name Cistus is from the Greek word 'kistos' which was the name originally used to describe the plant in ancient Greece.
This variegated cultivar 'Rencis' was discovered by Jean and Thierry Renault at their nursery near Gorron, France in July 1993. The new cultivar arose as a naturally occurring branch mutation from a Cistus × hybridus growing outdoors in a container at their nursery. Propagation using softwood stem cuttings were first taken in 1995 and subsequently tested in their garden (likely Les Renaudies in Colombiers-du-Plessis south of Gorron) for 7 years to test for stability. This plant was selected as having a very good variegation that it holds through the seasons, a more compact habit, and for producing fewer flowers. It is also noted as having a broader variegation than another variegated Cistus called 'Candystripe' (which was one of the first variegated sports of Cistus discovered in 1991 and has pink flowers). This plant holds US Plant Patent PP20,410 under the cultivar name 'Rencis' and is being marketed in the US by Ball Horticulture using the marketing name Second Honeymoon. We first offered this this plant in 2011 and only grew it for a couple years. Some variegated rockrose revert back to all green foliage and while this form held its variegation fairly well (there was a little reversion) and it also had some minor browning out of the variegated foliage, neither of these issues were the reason we discontinued production. While we found the plant interesting, in the end we decided that while this plant first attracted us because of its novelty, we really did not need to grow a variegated rockrose and discontinued production of this plant in 2012.
This information about Cistus x hybridus Second Honeymoon ['Rencis'] PP 20,410 displayed is based on research conducted in our horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also will relate observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments that we receive from others and we welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share any cultural information that would aid others in growing it.
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