Cistus

The genus Frankincense (Cistus) includes approximately 20 species of evergreen highly pubescent shrubs and semi-shrubs found wild in the Mediterranean regions (characteristic plants of the Mediterranean maquis). Their special decorative appeal lies in the flowers, large and simple, very similar to the flowers of rosehip, flattened, consisting of 5 petals, sometimes with bright stamens. Usually, they do not last very long: from morning to evening, but then many others open up, so the flowering is usually long. Glandular hairs of leaves and young shoots incense is an aromatic resin. Frankincense (Cistus ladaniferus) is a stable erect species with lanceolate leaves, covered with fluffy down on the underside. Flowers with glossy yellow stamens and a brownish-red spot at the base of the petals are collected in racemes; they bloom in May-June. Frankincense laurifolius - a shrub with characteristic oval-lanceolate leaves, grayish on the underside; white flowers, with a yellow spot at the base of the petals, collected in apical racemes. Blooms from May to July. Curly frankincense (C. crispus) has oval-lanceolate pale green rough leaves, dark pink flowers are formed at the ends of the shoots. Blooms from April to June. White frankincense (C. albidus) has oblong or oval-lanceolate grayish-white leaves covered with dense down; pink flowers at the ends of branches are collected in small groups. Blooms from May to June. Frankincense of Montpellier (C. monspeliensis) is characterized by lanceolate leaves, rough on the upper side and pubescent on the lower; small white flowers in racemose inflorescences bloom from April to June. Poplar-leaved frankincense (C. populifolius) is a fairly robust species with oval - heart-shaped light green leaves and white flowers with a yellow spot at the base of each petal; they bloom in June. Frankincense (C. salvifolius) is an unpretentious plant with willow-like leaves; white flowers with yellow spots at the base bloom from April to June. Of the very numerous hybrids popular: frankincense purple (C. x purpureum) - a lush plant; 'Silvery pink'; frankincense aguilari (C. x aguilari) and frankincense corbariensis (C. x corbariensis).

The genus Frankincense (Cistus) includes approximately 20 species of evergreen highly pubescent shrubs and semi-shrubs found wild in the Mediterranean regions (characteristic plants of the Mediterranean maquis). Their special decorative appeal lies in the flowers, large and simple, very similar to the flowers of rosehip, flattened, consisting of 5 petals, sometimes with bright stamens. Usually, they do not last very long: from morning to evening, but then many others open up, so the flowering is usually long. Glandular hairs of leaves and young shoots incense is an aromatic resin.

Frankincense (Cistus ladaniferus) is a stable erect species with lanceolate leaves, covered with fluffy down on the underside. Flowers with glossy yellow stamens and a brownish-red spot at the base of the petals are collected in racemes; they bloom in May-June.

Frankincense laurifolius - a shrub with characteristic oval-lanceolate leaves, grayish on the underside; white flowers, with a yellow spot at the base of the petals, collected in apical racemes. Blooms from May to July.

Curly frankincense (C. crispus) has oval-lanceolate pale green rough leaves, dark pink flowers are formed at the ends of the shoots. Blooms from April to June.

White frankincense (C. albidus) has oblong or oval-lanceolate grayish-white leaves covered with dense down; pink flowers at the ends of branches are collected in small groups. Blooms from May to June.

Frankincense of Montpellier (C. monspeliensis) is characterized by lanceolate leaves, rough on the upper side and pubescent on the lower; small white flowers in racemose inflorescences bloom from April to June.

Poplar-leaved frankincense (C. populifolius) is a fairly robust species with oval - heart-shaped light green leaves and white flowers with a yellow spot at the base of each petal; they bloom in June.

Frankincense (C. salvifolius) is an unpretentious plant with willow-like leaves; white flowers with yellow spots at the base bloom from April to June.

Of the very numerous hybrids popular: frankincense purple (C. x purpureum) - a lush plant; 'Silvery pink'; frankincense aguilari (C. x aguilari) and frankincense corbariensis (C. x corbariensis).

Cultivation

Cultivated species and hybrids are suitable for gardens in coastal areas; they are primarily used in group plantings, for hedges and for strengthening crumbling slopes. Frankincense can also be grown in pots and large containers on terraces and balconies. It is important to protect the plants from the wind. Young specimens are pinched, which contributes to tillering.

Location

Frankincense prefers open sun, but it is also suitable for partially shaded areas.

Temperature

These are hardy, for example, frankincense and laurel-leaved frankincense, and semi-hardy, for example, small-flowered frankincense (C. parviflorus), species. But, as a rule, these plants suffer from prolonged cold. It is interesting that young plants tolerate cold better compared to older specimens.

These are hardy, for example, frankincense and laurel-leaved frankincense, and semi-hardy, for example, small-flowered frankincense (C. parviflorus), species. But, as a rule, these plants suffer from prolonged cold.

It is interesting that young plants tolerate cold better compared to older specimens.

Watering

Plants are very resistant to drought, so they absolutely do not need watering, which is only needed for young plants immediately after planting in a permanent place. Never allow water to stagnate in the soil.

Reproduction

Seeds can only propagate species, but not hybrids. Sowing is carried out in March in the usual seed soil consisting of peat and sand. After germination, when the seedlings reach a sufficient size, they are transplanted into 6-8-centimeter pots, then into larger and larger containers, until the next year they are placed in a permanent place in the garden, etc., taking care that the plants overwinter in a place that is lit and protected from frost. Semi-woody (branch of the current year with a "heel") cuttings of hybrids (but also species) with a length of approximately 10 cm are taken in the midst of summer (in July-August) and planted for rooting in a mixture of peat and sand, maintaining a temperature of approximately 16 °C. After rooting, the cuttings are transplanted one at a time into cups and allowed to winter in a lighted and protected place from the cold. In the coming spring, they are transplanted into 10-12-centimeter pots and kept outdoors on the terrace or in the garden. For the winter, they are closed again and finally planted in April next year.

Seeds can only propagate species, but not hybrids. Sowing is carried out in March in the usual seed soil consisting of peat and sand. After germination, when the seedlings reach a sufficient size, they are transplanted into 6-8-centimeter pots, then into larger and larger containers, until the next year they are placed in a permanent place in the garden, etc., taking care that the plants overwinter in a place that is lit and protected from frost. Semi-woody (branch of the current year with a "heel") cuttings of hybrids (but also species) with a length of approximately 10 cm are taken in the midst of summer (in July-August) and planted for rooting in a mixture of peat and sand, maintaining a temperature of approximately 16 °C. After rooting, the cuttings are transplanted one at a time into cups and allowed to winter in a lighted and protected place from the cold.

In the coming spring, they are transplanted into 10-12-centimeter pots and kept outdoors on the terrace or in the garden. For the winter, they are closed again and finally planted in April next year.

Acquisition

Buy plants grown in containers. It should be borne in mind that incense trees do not tolerate transplanting very well. They are quite easy to find in specialized gardening centers and nurseries, primarily in the Maritime regions. The best time to buy them is in spring, when you can immediately plant them in the open air and enjoy the beautiful flowering for a long time. Choose bushy plants with beautiful foliage without spots and other defects.