Straggly Cistus

[MonumentalLentil]

I understand it is not good to prune a Cistus, I have carefully cut bits off for a couple of years and not killed it but it still looks scruffy and straggly. It is in a pot so it can be moved according to the weather/space available.

Previously had one planted out which was here when I moved in but it died when the tree that sheltered it fell down and left no shade and lots of rampant plants took over. No space for this one to be planted out, plus heavy clay.

Any thoughts on tidying it up please?

Or should I throw it away?

Take cuttings (they root quite easily). There's probably still time this year although July is the recommended time. Ditch the mother plant after you see the cuttings have roots.

I’ve always followed the “don’t prune” advice, but was emboldened by seeing one of the TV gardeners earlier this year trimming a cistus as the flowers went over. So I did trim mine a little (not enough to class as pruning) and it looks much better for it.

Thank you. Poor thing does look a mess but flowers well. I will try some cuttings, but failing that I will prune it and hope. There was one soiltary flower last week, thought it had finished flowering, maybe it was a plea for help.