Q. Are “sun rose” and “rock rose” the same plant?
A. Two separate plants are known by these two common names. The Royal Horticultural Society’s Index of Garden Plants gives the common names rock rose and sun rose to both Helianthemum and Cistus.
The name Helianthemum comes from the Greek helios, the sun, and anthemon, a flower. Hence the name of the sunrise. The plants are evergreen climbers that form low, extended mats. In early summer, small, rose-like flowers appear. The plants are very suitable for growing in rock gardens.
Helianthem plants sold in garden centers are usually hybrids. My best plants, still in the garden, are grown from Helianthemum nummularium seeds I found in my father’s office shortly after his death. The small package contained a mixture of colors from the species. My plants produce yellow and orange flowers.
Cistus plants are small to medium-sized perennial shrubs that bear simple, open flowers, often with wrinkled petals, in early summer. One of my purchased plants, labeled “Sunset,” is also sold as “Brilliant.” I have also grown very good Cistus plants from then on.
Both Cistus and Helianthemum are Mediterranean plants such as lavender and rosemary, with preference for similar growth conditions: a very well drained soil and full sun. Both are drought tolerant once established.
Q. I dry several different herbs in the summer and I’ve never been sure, once the leaves are dry and crunchy, it’s best to leave them whole or crushed before storing them.
A. Leaves that remain whole retain more fragrance and flavor, but in some situations, convenient storage is not always available for large amounts of whole leaves. I have a few large glass jars, with lids, for the dried mint I like to use in the winter, for tea and also for crushing and “spreading” on the floor before vacuuming. I keep the jars on the shelves in a cool closet.
When there are space problems, crush the dried leaves and store them in small glass jars with the lids on.
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