Cistus populifolius - Poplar-leaved Rockrose

Cistus populifolius, also known as Poplar-leaved Rockrose, is interesting for its coloured foliage in winter, its beautiful stature, and its hardiness, allowing it to withstand down to -12/-15°C (10.4/5°F) in well-drained soil. This botanical species forms a beautiful, branching and fragrant shrub with an upright habit. It bears large, green, evergreen leaves and offers a profusion of white flowers in spring with a golden stamen heart. Like many rockroses, it is highly resistant to drought, but it also stands out for its good tolerance to partially shaded exposures.

The poplar-leaved rockrose belongs to the cistaceae family. It is widespread in France, northern Spain and Portugal. It is a beautiful shrub that can easily reach a height of 2m (6.5ft), with a spread of 1m (3.3ft). Its growth is quite slow, the plant ages relatively well, and lives for 12 to 15 years. The flowering takes place in spring or early summer depending on the climate and lasts about a month. The flowers are composed of 5 white petals and gathered in corymbs. They are round and open, with a diameter of 4 to 6 cm (1.6 to 2.4 in), enhanced by numerous bright yellow stamens. They only live for a day, covering the ground with their petals in the late afternoon, but will be replaced the next morning. The evergreen foliage consists of large, ovate, heart-shaped leaves that resemble those of certain poplars. They are dark green from spring to summer, paler underneath. The branches are sticky and highly fragrant.

This attractive shrub that thrives in acidic and poor soils can be used in mass plantings, large rock gardens and light woodland areas, under Japanese maples for example, alongside Phlomis samia. Create a small informal hedge to accompany your rockrose, by associating it with tree heathers, brooms, bottlebrushes, or bushy ceanothuses. You can plant it in well-drained soil almost anywhere but for the coldest regions, it is better to cultivate it in large pots, ensuring good drainage and watering abundantly (with non-chalky water) but sparingly, allowing the substrate to dry out between waterings.