Picking up the thread of the genus Cistus, in this third post we will talk about two new varieties recently incorporated into our nursery. The first of them is Cistus x aguilarii 'Maculatus', and the second Cistus x argenteus 'Stripey'.
_Cistus x aguilarii 'Maculatus'_ is a hybrid between Cistus ladanifer x Cistus populifolius. It is an evergreen and compact shrub that reaches 50/100 centimeters high by 50/100 centimeters wide. Simple leaves, opposite, narrowly ovate and wavy, dark green in color and a little sticky to the touch. Flowers with five white petals with the typical spot, which many species of this genus have, of red-purple color at the beginning of each petal. These flowers last only one day, but the plant produces flowers for a long period of time, being in our area, normally, from May to July.
Image of Cistus x aguilarii 'Maculatus'; Source: www.rhs.org.uk
It is recommended, once flowering is over, to perform a light pruning to round and obtain a more compact and beautiful shrub.
Cistus x aguilarii 'Maculatus' has very low water requirements and grows well in sites where sun exposure is total. If not, its flowering will be poorer and we will have a plant with longer and less compact internodes.
It is a species belonging to hardiness zone 8, with an average annual minimum temperature range of -12.2 / -6.7°C, proving resistant to typical frosts of Mediterranean climates.
It grows well in both sandy and clay soils, preferably with good drainage to avoid fungus problems in the plant collar. It does not require a specific pH range as it lives well with both basic and alkaline pH. This Cistus is not resistant to either salinity or sea breeze.
It is a shrub that at Sala Graupera we recommend using both in landscape restorations and in ornamental gardening, as thanks to its interesting flowering it is a very advisable alternative. It is a species that grows well in rockeries. The recommended planting density is one to two plants per square meter.
_Cistus x argenteus 'Stripey'_ is a hybrid between Cistus laurifolius x Cistus cansescens. Evergreen shrub of slightly smaller dimensions than Cistus x aguilarii 'Maculatus' as its rounded habit can reach 70/90 centimeters high and/or wide. Its pilose leaves of a light green color, are simple and opposite. Its flowering is very curious as we will not find two identical flowers. The five-petaled flowers are normally light pink with intense pink stripes. These stripes are normally linear, although they can also be entire petals dyed intense pink. The duration of flowering is about three months, being in our area from April to June.
Image of Cistus x argenteus 'Stripey'; Source: www.joycreek.com
It is a Cistus with very low water needs and high light requirements. Otherwise, we may have fungus problems in the plant collar due to excess humidity, long internodes and loss of flowering due to excess shade.
Like Cistus x aguilarii 'Maculatus' it is a species belonging to hardiness zone 8, with an average annual minimum temperature range of -12.2 / -6.7°C.
Regarding soil type, it is a very undemanding Cistus, as it tolerates the entire range of possible substrates and pHs; yes, the soil must be draining.
We recommend pruning during the month of June, to round the plant and have a more compact and beautiful shrub.
Without a doubt, we are talking about two shrubs, recently incorporated into the Sala Graupera catalog, that we encourage you to try as they give very good results in parks and sustainable gardens.