Rock Rose, Tauric (Cistus incanus tauricus), packet of 20 seeds, Organic

$4.95

Family: Rock-rose (Cistaceae)

Hardy to Zones 7 to 11

Bushy evergreen perennial, native to the Mediterranean basin, flowers showy, rose-purple, to 40 inches tall.  This plant is the miniature of the rock-roses, and it is a good choice for potted plant cuture.   The flowers are short-lived but numerous, and the flowering period lasts for months.  The leaves of this species are not particularly resinous.  Traditionally (TWM): dried aerial parts made into tea.  The flowers, as a Bach flower remedy, used to calm the nerves after shock, fright or anxiety. Plant prefers dry, sandy or rocky soils in the full sun.  Cultivation from seeds:  Press seeds into surface of potting soil and keep shaded, moist and cool (50 to 60 degrees F) until germination, which takes 14 days and ongoing.  Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart.

20 seeds per packet, certified organically grown

In stock

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  1. Question

    Carrie Marshall

    Hello
    I will be planting this in zone 10a in coastal San Diego. I’m new to gardening. Do you have any step by step instructions for bringing a seed to germination? Does the soil need sun during that time? Can this plant live forever in a container? So many questions. All specific instructions would be appreciated! I am a Lyme patient of Dr. Klinghardt’s clinic and am looking to be more self sufficient. 🙏❤️

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi carrie, ok, i just updated the cultivation directions to include the things you were looking for: Hardy to Zones 7 to 11

      Bushy evergreen perennial, native to the Mediterranean basin, flowers showy, rose-purple, to 40 inches tall.  The flowers dot the bush in a most comely manner, spacing themselves carefully, as if one flower does not wish to touch the next, but then they drop their petals and a new conformation of different flowers occurs the next morning.  The show goes on and on through the summer.  These are miniature bushes and will do well in pots.  Traditionally (TWM): dried aerial parts of the plant used in therapies against viral infections and Lyme disease.  The herb demonstrates an ability to break down biofilms.  Plant prefers dry, sandy or rocky soils in the full sun.  Cultivation from seeds:  Press seeds into surface of potting soil and keep shaded, moist and cool (50 to 60 degrees F) until germination, which takes 14 days and ongoing.  Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart.

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  2. Question

    Kim

    Hey Richo! I’m really looking for rose hips. Will these also produce a hefty amount of hips? Thank you for your time! 🙂

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Kim,
      Nope, you want Rosa rugosa!
      Richo

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  3. Question

    Mary (verified owner)

    I’m in zone 6a. I bought seeds. If I’m planting in pots and bringing in for the winter, does it matter when I plant them?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      hi mary, in that case, you could probably plant them anytime. richo

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  4. Question

    Dr Jeff Sullender

    I am searching for the mediterranean Rock Rose that is reputed to have such a high concentration of polyphenols and other health benefits, making it a healthy tea. I always come to your website first. I am “confused” by the “tauricus” variety. How do I know if this IS the variety of which so much is spoken or it is another variety?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Dr Sullender,
      I think you might be thinking of the very resinous species Cistus ladanifer or C. creticus that were used to produce labdanum. That’s not what these are–the tea of our Cistus incanus is much like black tea, has astringency, a listed medicinal plant, is not particularly high in resin or essential oil. Hope that helps.
      Richo

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  5. Question

    Michelle

    Can I grow these in Idaho 5a zone?
    If not outside can I grow them indoors!

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello Michelle, Rock rose is winter hardy to zone 7. In Idaho you can grow these as an annual or pot them up and bring indoors for the winter. They are quite compact and make good potted plants. Richo

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    • jill (verified owner)

      I would like to grow rock rose in Phoenix Arizona. Do you think conditions will be ok?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      yes, they are dryland lovers. too much water makes them go away. r

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  6. Question

    Jenni

    Do you post to Australia ?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Jenni, So sorry, we can no longer post to Australia! Australian AQIS has taken it upon themselves to destroy or return all seed shipments.
      Richo

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    • Tara (verified owner)

      Recommendation for soil for potted sprouts?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      the standard fast-draining mix is fine–i have mine in 4 inches of sand over mineral soil and they are currently in glorious flower. r

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    • Tara stephens (verified owner)

      Can you explain mineral soil to me?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Mineral soil is unamended soil as it occurs in nature. Clay, sandy loam, etc. are all mineral soils.

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  7. Question

    Anita Porterfield

    Could you please post a picture of the rock rose flowers. Thanks.

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      This is a relatively new plant for us, and we have a nice set of them in the field. They have not flowered yet, and when they do, I will post!

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    • Jim

      Hi Richo, just purchased six plants.
      Will it be okay to plant them in the ground here in Monterey Calif. Zone 10A in December?
      Jim

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Jim, Good timing, you got in just under the wire. The tauric rock roses are evergreen perennials for me here in a Z8 and so in Monterey (beautiful place, by the way!) they should be good winter growers. We do recommend planting them first to gallons and growing on for a few weeks that way to size them up prior to transplant, but I know a lot of people just go ahead and transplant them immediately. These are pretty robust, I have faith in them. Richo

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    • Susie

      You did not mention the intoxicating fragrance of the leaves, which are also covered in a type of resin. These were my favorite flowering bush when I lived in San Jose, California. Now that I’m in Florida, will give it a try. I’ll report back with my success! Love these flowering plants!

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    • Susie

      Oh, and I forgot to mention. I dried the leaves and put them in a spice box with cinnamon sticks and other spices. It lasted forever until the fire took it away.

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  8. Question

    Allegra Chesnut

    Do you plant out the seedlings after germination or grow them in successively larger pots for some length of time before transplanting? How long before they reach full size in ideal conditions?

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      Standard horticultural technique potting up to larger pots, with maturity in fall of second year.

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    • Tony

      Is this a Cistus with aromatic, resinous foliage? Some Cistus are used for essential oil and oleoresin/absolutes in perfumes.

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      Hi tony, Yes, this is both a medicinal plant and a culinary herb. It is aromatic! Richo

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    • Krysia

      Richo, may I plant the cistus and harvest it in the first year? I am in the zone 5b

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      Hi Krysia,
      If your’s is growing as slowly as is mine, then I think iuts a stretch to think there would be a harvest in the first year. BTW I put some in moist mulch and they died, and planted others in rock and sand and they are thriving!
      Richo

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    • Michelle (verified owner)

      I purchased these seeds from you two seasons ago and although the bush is huge, I haven’t seen any flowers yet. How long do flowers normally take to pop up? And for resin production on leaves? Thanks.

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Michelle,
      Not sure where you’re located but here in S. Oregon these bloomed freely starting in spring of second year. I was actually just going out to try to catch a photo of them, as they are blooming in concord with Echinacea tennesseensis and it is quite a display. I imagine you can use the leaves any time from second year onwards although I haven’t worked with them yet myself. Often if perennials don’t flower as expected in the spring they’ll do a surprise show come fall. i hope that happens with your’s.
      Richo

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    • michelle (verified owner)

      Thanks. Im in northern FL, rock roses grow fast and well, but dont want to bloom. Leaves are not resinous yet.

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    • Elizabeth

      Will these grow in zones 6a-b?

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi Elizabeth, You could grow them as an annual but they don’t make flowers until the second year. Zone 6 is too cold for them.
      Richo

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    • FE

      Hi there,

      Can these be planted in zone 8b? If so when s the best time to plant them and should the seedlings be germinated indoors before doing so? Thank you.

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hello FE, Thanks for contacting. If you click on the picture it gives you the monograph that has the zones listed. 8b is pretty much ideal for these. Any woody perennial of this sort is going to be way easier to grow using standard greenhouse technique and working up in pots. Direct-seeding would be a long shot I think. I’m already planting the seeds up here but I would suggest going for the potted plants, you would get a year jump on the equation. Richo

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    • FE

      Hi Richo, This is excellent. Thank you very much for this! Would the potted plants survive if i left them outside from present day onward or would it be best to bring them and or keep them inside? Can these plants be kept indoors? Can you email me or do you mind telling me where abouts you are? Richo on behalf of many others thank you very much for your expertise and very quick communication. Im proud of you and thank you!

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    • Richo Cech

      Richo Cech

      Hi FE, No prob, its a pleasure. If you order plants now they won’t ship until spring and you can set them out at that time. right now would not be a good idea, would suffer. richo

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  9. Question

    Amy (verified owner)

    Could you provide references or related articles for the use of rock rose for Lyme Disease??

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    • One person found this helpful
      Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

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    • Terry

      Dr Dietrich Klinghardt is using cistus in his treatment of Lyme patients. He has much good info available on line if you search “Klinghardt” and “cistus.”

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  10. Question

    Lily

    What season is suitable for planting Rock Rose in Guangxi province China?

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    • Richo Cech

      Admin Richo Cech

      Spring.

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