Cistus × aguilari O.E.Warb.

A hybrid between C. ladanifer and C. populifolius, found wild in the Iberian peninsula and in Morocco; introduced, in an un-blotched form, by Sir O. Warburg. Leaves lanceolate, to 4 in. long, short-stalked, bright green above, paler below, three-nerved and strongly net-veined; margins closely undulate. It was collected in S. Spain and the second parent was C. populifolius subsp. major (syn. C. p. var. lasiocalyx). A blotched form of C. × aguilari – ‘Maculatus’ – was raised by Sir O. Warburg and received an Award of Merit in 1936. The parentage was given as C. ladanifer (blotched form) × C. populifolius var. lasiocalyx, but there is a possibility that C. × aguilari itself was the second parent (Gard. Chron., 26th March 1960, p. 187). It resembles the unspotted form in foliage, but the leaves are decidedly gummy, suggesting a stronger influence of C. ladanifer. Both forms of C. × aguilari are among the finest of cistuses, but not reliably hardy and apt to become top-heavy and blow over. Their flowers are of more substance than in most cistuses and the rippled leaves, of a cheerful green, render them very striking and decorative even when out of flower.