Grey-leaved cistus (Cistus albidus): when and how to prune

Grey-leaved cistus (Cistus albidus): when to prune it?

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A light trim straight after flowering, in July, keeps it compact. In April, remove frost-damaged shoots.

What else to prune in those months? April · July

Grey-leaved cistus (Cistus albidus): how to prune it?

1. Shorten this year’s young shoots by a third, at most by half.
2. Always stay within the green, leafy part of the shoots.
3. In April, cut dead or frosted shoots back to healthy wood.

How much to cut, and how often?

• There are 2 pruning periods a year: April and July. You don’t have to prune in every one.
• Prune in moderation: never remove more than about a third of the shrub at once.

What does it mean for wildlife?

• Pruning in April and July can fall in the nesting season (15 March–15 August). Check carefully for nesting birds first: disturbing an active nest is against the law.
• Grey-leaved cistus (Cistus albidus) flowers in May–June, when it attracts bees.
• Prunings can go on a dead hedge or brash pile in a corner of the garden: shelter for hedgehogs, wrens and insects.

Common mistakes

• Clipping without first checking for nesting birds.
• Leaving a stub or sawing flush with the trunk: cut just outside the branch collar.

Nearby: related pruning guides

• Gum rockrose (Cistus ladanifer)
• Laurel-leaved rockrose (Cistus laurifolius)
• Orchid rockrose (Cistus × purpureus)
• Rockrose (Cistus × hybridus)
• Sage-leaved rockrose (Cistus salviifolius)
• Barberry

Plant profile: Grey-leaved cistus (Cistus albidus) · Pruning calendar and basic rules