Common gum cistus (Cistus ladanifer L.) is a shrub that can grow 1.5m – 3m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Common gum cistus (Cistus ladanifer L.).
This plant has several common names including: common gum cistus, laudanum, gum cistus or laudanum.
This is a evergreen plant that takes 5-10 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: common gum cistus, laudanum, gum cistus, laudanum
Scientific name: Cistus ladanifer L.
Plant type: Shrubs
Habit: Bushy
Height: 1.5m – 3m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Evergreen
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Well drained
Garden type: City & Courtyard Gardens, Coastal, Informal Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Rock & Gravel Garden
Planting type: Flower borders and bedding
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Common gum cistus (Cistus ladanifer L.) – Taken by Carsten Niehaus (user:Lumbar)., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shrubs are fundamental elements in any garden.
They add color and interest throughout the seasons with their wide variety of flowers, foliage, fruits, trunks and stems.
Whatever the size or style of your garden, the permanent woody structure or the foliage of evergreen shrubs will give the space shape and dimension.
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Common gum cistus (Cistus ladanifer L.), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Common gum cistus (Cistus ladanifer L.) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Cistus ladanifer L. likes to grow in well drained soil.
Sunlight
Common gum cistus (Cistus ladanifer L.) should be grown in full sun places.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Common gum cistus (Cistus ladanifer L.) – Josep Gesti, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
