A quantity of between about 20 species counting certain hybrids of shrubs that have a lot of fragrance as well as native ones and that come from the Mediterranean basin, belong to what is the genus Cistus, of the family of the cistaceae.
Among the latests Moravia's compositions species found in this genus We can mention Cistus ladanifer, Cistus x skanbergii, Cistus monspeliensis, Cistus albidus, Cistus creticus, Cistus parviflorus, Cistus x skanbergii, Cistus x pulverulentus, Cistus salviifolius.
Characteristics of the purple Cistus monspeliensis
These are some shrubs that we generally know by the common names of Estepa negra, Jara montpellier, Jaguarzo negro or also as Black rockrose.
These shrubs are evergreen and have a large number of branches, with stems that are reddish in color and that in turn have the ability to exceed one meter in height.
The leaves, like the stems, release a fragrance that is quite pleasant, apart from the fact that the leaves of the same they have a narrow appearance and they are of a green color of dark tone that has the possibility of getting to appear of a black color when the time of the drought arrives.
It produces quite showy flowers that grow to measure about 3 cm in diameter and their flowering time occurs in the spring months.
These are plants that we can cultivate them in a fairly simple way and if we maintain constant maintenance, they are the most suitable so that they can be used on rockeries, slopes that have difficult access or in areas that are drought as well as with a lot of sun in our garden.
They can be an excellent option for those Coastal gardens found in the Mediterranean.
Caring for purple Cistus monspeliensis
This is a plant that requires direct sunlight as well as climates that are dry. They have the ability to withstand cold temperatures as well as frosts that are in a temperature of -10 ° C.
They can have an excellent development in a soil that is poor, sandy or in its stony difference. The fundamental thing for this plant is that the drainage is of the best.
They almost do not require irrigation since they have the ability to live with very little rainfall that is typical of the Mediterranean climate. If the summer temperatures are too hot, you may need to water sporadically, being a plant that does not need us to place some type of fertilizer.
It is recommended that when pruning this plant we do it in a light and after flowering has occurred, so that we can maintain that beautiful compact bearing as well as so that we can favor the next flowering season.
La Cistus monspeliensis purple It is a plant that has the ability to withstand frequent pests very well, but nevertheless they are very sensitive to fungal diseases (which are fungi) that occur because there is a lot of humidity.
Purple Cistus monspeliensis has the possibility of being able to multiply through cuttings which are made for the summer months and after flowering has passed or through the sowing of the seeds once spring has arrived.
To sow the seeds we have to do it almost being at the surface and using a mixture that is sandy and at the same time fine. Then we cover the pot with the help of a transparent plastic and place them in a place that is a little warm and shady.
Once we have done this, seeds will germinate after 3-4 weeks. The plants that are younger can be transplanted when they already have the indicated size to manipulate them as well as to place them inside a pot, even we have to use a sandy soil that can adapt very well in direct sunlight.