Cistus populifolius (Poplar-Leaved Rock Rose)

A hardy, dense shrub with a rounded, finely-textured form and very pretty, crinkly-edged leaves. These are aromatic when smooshed, and especially evocative on hot sunny summer days. The red sepals of their flower buds open to reveal crinkly white tissue paper blooms, square-ended, tousled and dotted with the yellowest of yellow centres and even yellower- yellow stamens. Though each flower only lasts a day, they are produced with great generosity over a decent stretch through July and August, and bees will go bananas for them. One of those wonderful plants you can hear before you see it: buzzing.

Grow this shrub in full sun on well drained, even poor soils – think Mediterranean. They dislike root disturbance, heavy pruning and limey soils. If you’re on lime, consider a nice big pot full of not-limey substrate. These plants seem made especially for terracotta vessels and partner wonderfully with other hot aromatics like lavender and some fancy Bay trees. They can be short lived, but are most certainly worthy of a prime spot on your plot. (a sunny one, mind)