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Cistus x cyprius - on its way out?

bailey.vermeerbailey.vermeer Posts: 10
in Problem solving
My beautiful Cistus x cyprius already lived in the garden when I took it over and has now been with me for about 10 years.  Originally in the front of the border is now 'draping' itself onto the lawn and becoming extremely leggy.  Total size approx 1.5m x 1.5m by about 1m high.  It is an important anchor in the garden and I am loathed to take it out and start again with 2 tiny ones and waiting another 10 years to get to the point where I am now.  I am tempted to cut it back hard, and this would mean cutting back into the hardwood and leaving bare 'sticks', at the end of summer and see where that leaves the two of us.  Any suggestions would be extremely welcome.....

Posts

  • geraldinelloydgeraldinelloyd Posts: 3
    I have exactly the same problem. No one seems to know. I'm going to have to cut it back severely so I'm going to risk losing it. 
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    In my experience, 10 years is "old" for a cistus. Time for a new plant methinks.
    Devon.
  • ERICS MUMERICS MUM Posts: 627
    edited July 2020
    Once my cistus reached about 6 years old and leggy/floppy, I started cutting it back hard into bare wood after the main flush.  It would spring back ready for next years flowering season.

    one year it didn’t come back, just died and I reckon it was 10/11 years old by then.
  • bailey.vermeerbailey.vermeer Posts: 10
    ....well I did cut it back hard, harder than I would have like to start with, and now - even with the dismal weather we're having - it is in bud and has started sprouting nearer to the base of the shrub.  I'm hopeful it'll be with us for a while longer...
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