Cistus ladanifer var. ‘Paladin’ (Rock Rose)

Evergreen shrub with lance-shaped leaves: big-ish ones that are glossy and neatly-veined. Grows quite upright, to around 4 ft by 4 ft and is less tightly dome-shaped than other Cistus. Along with those big-ish leaves this gives it a more open-textured and airy form that adds great contrast into a mixed planting. As with its Cistus siblings (ciblings?) it does absolutely masses of flowers in midsummer: crinkly-creased, arctic white and with golden centres. The whole plant smells extraordinary: The resin exuded by the leaves on this plant gives the most wonderful aromatic smell - so evocative of long lazy days in warmer climes. The degree to which you can smell them varies according to different weather conditions. Mostly, it seems, when the sun shines - whether it's summer or winter. Ever been in the Med just after the first rain for 6 months? That. Indescribably delicious and evocative.

Their common name of ‘Rock Rose’ is almost bang-on from a trades-description POV: they grow in rocky places, and their flowers are a bit like a rose. Essential for a mediterranean or dry garden: place them close to a window or seating area to get that glorious pong. They enjoy light and sunny places with good drainage, and don't mind good ventilation (very windy) even on the coast.