Cistus Purpureus Ground Cover

Cistus Purpureus (Rock Rose, Sun Rose)

These small evergreen shrubs thrive in difficult dry areas including chalk and coastal if the site is well drained and in full sun. During the summer months they will produce a succession of attractive saucer shaped rosy crimson flowers that have a distinctive maroon splash. Trim lightly after flowering to maintain compact plants. All grow to approx. 90cm and will make excellent ground cover or a low informal hedge. (Trim after flowering).

Cistus Purpureus (Rock Rose) is one of the showiest of the rock rose family. With masses of large, yellow centred purplish-pink flowers splashed with maroon at the base of each petal from June to July, accompanied by mounds of wavy-margined silvery-grey or green evergreen leaves on woody stems. This wonderful, bushy rock rose is one of the hardiest varieties.

Very low maintenance, Cistus Purpureus ground cover shrubs will look wonderful in a rockery. You could also try this rounded, sun-loving, evergreen rock rose towards the front of a sheltered, sunny, well-drained border, or in a container. Try planting with Lavender, Santolina, Artemesia Powys Castle or with grasses and Yucca. They are irresistible with their dry, woody, resinous fragrance, making you think of summer holidays in the Mediterranean. They will also keep bees and other pollinators happy with the daily supply of new flowers!

Cistus Purpureus

  • in 2 litre pots

  • Minimum order quantity: 1

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1 + 5 + 25 + 100 +
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Happiest in full sun, Cistus Purpureus prefers free-draining soil and will perform well in poor, stony ground.  Avoid planting in heavy, wet or overly fertile soils or where they sit in frost pockets or strong winds, as these can damage these shallow-rooted plants. Perfect ground cover, it will tolerate chalky soil and salty air. Best planted in Spring when the warm soil helps the roots establish swiftly, however if planting in Summer, water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Young plants respond well to pruning but do not like to be pruned once established so this should generally be limited to the removal of any dead or frost-damaged growth in Spring.

As a rough guide when planting Cistus Purpureus as ground cover – 4 plants per square metre is adequate with a little patience, 6 will give better coverage, and 9-12 will make a weed supressing carpet very quickly.
How to grow Cistus Purpureus
Position: Sunny and sheltered

Foliage: Evergreen, leaves persist all year

Soil and site: Dry, stony or chalky, free-draining

Flowering time: Mid-Summer

Growth rate: Moderate

Ultimate height and spread: To 100cm, with a spread similar to their ultimate height

Hardiness: Fully hardy

Aftercare: Water well until established, avoiding soil becoming waterlogged. Minimal maintenance is required after they are well established and rooted beyond the removal of any dead branches. We recommend you pinch back young plants after flowering to encourage a bushy habit. Lightly trim or cut back any stems that spoil the symmetry of the plant.

Delivery leadtimes update- March/April 2024

We are working at maximum capacity to fulfil all orders as quickly as possible but owing to unprecedented demand some orders will take longer:

– Orders containing only bare root plants – delivery is currently within 5-7 days

– All other orders – delivery is currently within 2-3 weeks

Delivery is free for most orders above our free delivery thresholds, these are displayed above our prices in the product listings and summarized below. If you don’t need that many plants it’s not a problem, you can choose to pay our delivery charge and only order what you need.

Delivery is convenient – no signature is required so you don’t need to wait in, we will leave your parcel in the safe place that you nominate.

Delivery is fast – because we pick orders daily from our own growing beds your plants only travel the small hop to our packing shed before being sent to you, they are usually delivered within 3-7 days.

Delivery is reliable
– we have been selling and delivering Hedging Plants to our customers nationwide since 1992. We have a lot of experience in packing them safely and only use tried and tested delivery partners.

Smaller Plants (Parcel Delivery)

LocationOrder ValuePrice
UK Mainland excluding HighlandsUp to £90£15.00
UK Mainland excluding HighlandsOver £90Free
Scottish Highlands and Isle of WightAll orders£24.00

Heavy Plants (Pallet Delivery)

LocationOrder ValuePrice
UK Mainland excluding HighlandsUp to £420£72.00
UK Mainland excluding HighlandsOver £420Free
Scottish Highlands and Isle of WightAll orders£72.00

Tall Plants 2.5m+ (Specialist Delivery)

LocationOrder ValuePrice
UK Mainland excluding HighlandsUnder £1800Please call us
UK Mainland excluding HighlandsOver £1800Free
Scottish Highlands and Isle of WightAll ordersNot available

Exceptions to our delivery charges are Scottish Highland and Isle of Wight delivery areas where we need to charge a little extra to cover the cost of deliveries to these outlying areas. We don’t currently delivery to other offshore addresses including Northern Ireland and Southern Ireland.

Tall plants over 2.5 metres have to be delivered by our own specialised transport, our delivery area is limited to mainland England and Wales only.

Please note there is a minimum order value of £50 for orders containing smaller plants and £250 for orders containing heavier plants

Complete delivery information can be viewed on our Delivery Information page

Other Types of Cistus Ground Cover