Sage-leaved rock rose Cistus salviifolius
Sage-leaved rock rose (Cistus salviifolius) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Cistaceae family, native to Mediterranean basin, from Portugal and Morocco to Turkey and the Levant. It grows 40–80 cm (16–31 in) tall and 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -12 °C (10 °F). Space plants about 80 cm (31 in) apart.
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Sage-leaved rock rose at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cistaceae |
| Mature height | 40–80 cm (16–31 in) |
| Mature spread | 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 80 cm (31 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -12 °C (10 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Mediterranean basin, from Portugal and Morocco to Turkey and the Levant |
| Common in gardens of | 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇫🇷 France, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇲🇦 Morocco, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Sage-leaved rock rose toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Sage-leaved rock rose
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Sage-leaved rock rose
- How far apart should I plant Sage-leaved rock rose?
- About 80 cm (31 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60 cm–1.2 m (24 in–3.9 ft).
- Does Sage-leaved rock rose need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sage-leaved rock rose need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Sage-leaved rock rose?
- It tolerates about -12 °C (10 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Sage-leaved rock rose flower?
- From about April for 4–7 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Sage-leaved rock rose poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not poisonous.
- What grows well with Sage-leaved rock rose?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sage-leaved rock rose. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
- Euro+Med PlantBase, Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin
Notes and assumptions
- A summer-dry plant: water it through its first summer, then rarely or never; it wants sun, lean soil and sharp drainage, and is killed by summer irrigation and heavy clay more often than by drought.
- A low, spreading shrub of the garrigue with grey-green, sage-like leaves and crinkled white flowers with a yellow centre, each lasting a single day, in spring. Its seeds germinate after fire.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Grey-leaved cistus Cistus albidus
- Gum rockrose Cistus ladanifer
- Common rock rose (sun rose) Helianthemum nummularium
- Montpellier rock rose (narrow-leaved cistus) Cistus monspeliensis
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander