Sage-leaved rockrose
Cistus salvifolius
A fast, fire-adapted pioneer shrub that hugs poor, dry ground with white flowers and pollinator forage. A short-lived soil-builder — plant it to hold bare early ground.
Sage-leaved rockrose in a syntropic line
Sage-leaved rockrose belongs in the Ground cover layer as a Placenta species. Aim for 2–4 species for resilient, continuous cover. Rough in-row spacing starts around 0.3 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Bladder senna, Butterfly bush, Carob tree. As a Placenta species it establishes fast, then gets cut back or phased out as longer-lived layers take over.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- Ground cover
- Lifecycle
- Placenta
- Soil preference
- Rocky, Sandy
- Soil pH range
- 5 – 8
- Min. temperature
- -10°C
- Min. rainfall
- 350 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- Medium
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Mediterranean
- Native to Portugal
- Yes
How to manage it
Fast, low fire-adapted pioneer shrub for poor soils and pollinators; shear lightly after flowering to keep it dense and extend its life.
How to propagate
Sow seed fresh or take softwood cuttings in early summer; pioneer shrub roots readily.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
Short-lived (~10–15 years) and resinous/flammable when dry; dislikes rich, wet or heavily disturbed soils.
Frequently asked questions about Sage-leaved rockrose
Is sage-leaved rockrose frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -10°C when dormant, with medium frost tolerance in the catalog. Flowering crops can still lose a season to late frost, so site them carefully.
What soil does sage-leaved rockrose need?
It does best on rocky, sandy ground, at pH about 5–8.
How much water does sage-leaved rockrose need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 350 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can sage-leaved rockrose handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — sage-leaved rockrose has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with sage-leaved rockrose?
Short-lived (~10–15 years) and resinous/flammable when dry; dislikes rich, wet or heavily disturbed soils.
Sage-leaved rockrose in soil templates
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