Close Up of Blooming Orchid Rockrose
This is another spring blooming delight, Orchid Rockrose, Cistus x purpureus. Although this is a native Mediterranean drought tolerant shrub, something about it reminds me of an English country garden.
Former neighbors of mine had several one gallon Orchid Rockrose shrubs left over from a landscape installation, and asked me if I would like them. Not familiar with the Orchid Rockrose at the time, I boldly mass planted them in an informal hedge, in a sunny dry spot on our property. Besides a beautiful informal hedge, this shrub is suitable for rock gardens, fire-prone areas, erosion-control, and natural settings.
The hedge has grown to about 4′ high x 4′ wide. It blooms in the spring for about a month with 3″ deep pink “happy face” flowers. Each flower has a deep burgundy spot at the base of each petal, with a yellow-orange yolk center. Their flower is very distinctive, and friends always ask me the name of this shrub.
When Orchid Rockrose is not demonstrating its showy bloom, its dark green evergreen foliage continues to please. It is an easy shrub to care for, thrives in full sun, requires little water, and grows quickly in poor soil and adverse conditions such as high heat, winds, and ocean salt air. It does not like a lot of pruning as a mature shrub, but can be top-tipped for fullness, and pruned easily as a young shrub.
Orchid Rockrose Hedge
It grows well in zones 6-9, and 14-24. There are a number of different species within the Cistus family, with different flower colors, and characteristics in appearance. You can find the Orchid Rockrose shrub in local Southern California nurseries, and online, too. Be sure and start with a small container size, and adequate spacing, as it grows quickly.
If you are looking for a low maintenance, drought tolerant shrub, you might consider the versatile and showy, Orchid Rockrose.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve seen them in gardens here in Seattle and always wondered about the plant. Guess what will be purchased at next garden nursery visit!
Thank you for a fabulous write up on the chickens. Bobby G and I are thinking about adding a chicken coop and a few “girls” to our country home. Your articles were so much fun to read and informative. ~ Lynn
I just planted some in my front yard and the first one bloomed today. They’re in a terrace facing south with all day sun and they’re in front of a Pisa Block wall. Should be plenty of heat for them. I also installed a drip irrigation system for them. I need to find some more. Any idea who might have some in the Seattle area? I got the first ones from Squak Mtn Nursery.
I have a friend who gardened up in the Seattle area. I will ask her for you, if she has an suggestions. Thanks for your comment. VintageGardenGal
I haven’t heard back from my friend yet, and don’t want to keep you hanging. My suggestion is to call Squak Mtn Nursery, and see if they can order more orchid rockrose for you. Chances are they can. If they can’t, I’d let my fingers do the walking, and call around to your favorite nurseries, and ask if they carry them, or can order them for you. If all else fails, try ordering them from the internet?
I’m not familiar with nurseries in your area. Sorry. Good luck! VintageGardenGal
I’ve seen them in gardens here in Seattle and always wondered about the plant. Guess what will be purchased at next garden nursery visit!
You will love in your garden…VintageGardenGal
Mtn Dog, I had the opportunity to visit the Portland area this past week. One of the nurseries I visited was Cistus Design & Nursery. They carry several kinds of cistus (rockrose), and do mail order. Have you found your additional rockrose? You might want to contact them. http://www.cistus.com, (tel) (503) 621-2233.
VintageGardenGal
We have three on our property line. They’ve grown together to form a nice hedge, which I keep trimmed. I’ve seen some, untended, grow to the size of a VW Bug — seriously. Flowers are beautiful. Highly recommended. :: David in San Diego.
David, thanks for sharing. A rockrose hedge in full bloom is lovely…VintageGardenGal