Cistus laurifolius L.

An evergreen shrub 6 to 8 ft high, with stiff, erect, open branches, hairy and glutinous when young; bark peeling. Leaves ovate to ovate-lanceloate, 11⁄2 to 3 in. long, 3⁄4 to 11⁄2 in. wide; rounded at the base, long and taper-pointed; three-nerved, the margins wavy; dark dull green and glabrous above, pale with a close down beneath, glutinous on both surfaces; stalk hairy, 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 in. long, the bases of each pair meeting and clasping the stem. Flowers 21⁄2 to 3 in. across, white, produced from midsummer onwards in hairy, erect, cymose panicles, 6 to 9 in. high, at the end of short side branches. Sepals three, ovate, pointed, very concave, hairy. Seed-vessel five-valved.

Native of S.W. Europe and the Mediterranean region; introduced in 1731. This is the hardiest and one of the best rock roses. Whilst not so showy as C. × cyprius, and of stiffer habit, it is capable of withstanding more intense cold. At Kew it has survived uninjured 32° of frost. Grown in the mass it makes a bold evergreen group, flowering profusely from June to August. On hot days the leaves and young stems give off a pleasant, aromatic, incense-like perfume. As a flowering evergreen for banks and places too dry for most evergreens it is particularly useful, but is, nevertheless, neglected in gardens. It should be increased by seed, which it produces in plenty.