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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Cistaceae (Rock-roses) |
| Origin: Europe, Southern (Europe) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Spring |
| Synonyms: [Cistus maculatus, C. ladaniferus] |
| Height: 4-5 feet |
| Width: 4-5 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Seaside: Yes |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
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Cistus ladanifer (Crimson-Spot Rockrose) - Vigorous dense upright shrub reaching 5 to 6 feet tall and slightly narrower than wide with sticky slender lance-shaped dark green leaves that are grayish on the undersides and fragrant in the heat of summer. This species holds the largest flowers of the genus and is considered by some the most beautiful. Each flower is solitary but measures 3 to 4 inches in diameter with bright white petals with a bold red spot at the base, which gives rise to the common name. The cultivar 'Blanche' is a cultivar of this species but does not have this red blotch. Plant in full sun in a well-drained soil and irrigate infrequently to not at all. It is hardy to about 20 degrees F. A good tough drought tolerant plant for a dry garden or a seaside garden and as with other Rockroses it is resistant to deer predation. This plant is indigenous to Spain, Portugal and north-west Africa but was cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region for the fragrant resin known as gum labdanum ( ladanum) or vegetable ambergris that was used in perfumes and as a fixative. For this reason another common name for this plant is Gum Rockrose. The specific epithet 'ladanifer' given to this plant by Linnaeus literally means "bearing of ladanum". The name Cistus is from the Greek word 'kistos' which was the name originally used to describe the plant in ancient Greece.
The information on this page is based on our library and online research as well as observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We have also incorporated comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or includes additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Cistus ladanifer.
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