Brown-Eyed Rock Rose

Follow a regular watering schedule during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer before new growth begins in spring. For a formal appearance, shear annually after flowering. Pruning time: summer after flowering.

Excellent shrub for dry gardens thriving on banks, slopes and open areas. Beautiful planted in small irregular groups in conjunction with rock surfacing and boulders. Stands nicely with arid western natives as well as the Mediterraneans of its homeland. Evergreen beauty for Spanish style homes with stucco exteriors as well as Craftsman bungalows.

Cistus thrives under the same conditions as Lemon Leigh Spanish Lavender, (Lavandula stoechas 'Lemon Leigh'), Little Ollie Dwarf Olive, (Olea europea 'Montra'), Tuscan Blue Rosemary, (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Tuscan Blue') and Coronation Gold Yarrow, (Achillea x 'Coronation Gold').

This rockrose is among the recognized species native to the Mediterranean and the richest in commercially harvested oil. The genus Cistus was named after the original Greek name for the plant which is indigenous there. With twenty species native to this region there's much debate because demand for rockrose oil in ancient times caused the plants to be redistributed by growers. In the 1820s the rockrose enjoyed a rise in interest so that 112 varieties were known. Edouard Bernet of Antibes became a specialist and over fifteen years from 1860 to 1875 increased that number to 234. Most of these have disappeared with the demand for this oil.

The oil of rockrose was called "vegetable ambergris" because it was an ancient alternative to the rare whale ambergris treasured by the perfume and incense trade.