Gray Santolina

Name

Botanical Name

Family

Native to

Water

Sun

Soil

Height

Width

Space

Gray Santolina; Cotton Lavender - or Lavender Cotton

Santolina chamaecyparissus

Asteraceae

Southern Europe (Mediterranean region) and has been introduced worldwide

Medium to dry; water regularly to establish root system - then drought tolerant

Full sun

Light, sandy, average soil; well-drained

2 feet

3 feet

Price

4" pots: $2.20

6" pots: $3.50

1 Gallon Root Pouch: 5.00

Clay pots and planters: Prices vary

Description

Gray Santolina is a highly aromatic, evergreen shrub with silvery-green, finely-divided leaves. It reaches 2 feet tall and approximately 3 feet wide. Its habit is mounding. In mid to late summer, bright-yellow, button-like flowers appear on tall stalks. Its scent repels most insects. Santolina is often grown in herb gardens where it is pruned into tidy shapes. If you prefer a more natural landscape, prune once a year in the Spring. This will allow the plant to flower. No serious insect or disease problems.

Will Tolerate &

Keeping in Going

Santolina prefers light, sandy / gritty soil with excellent drainage.
It prefers poor soil.
It is drought tolerant once roots have established (water regularly during the first year). Try not to water foliage until established.
Plants can be grown in limey soils.
Deadhead flowers as soon as they fade
Cut back in spring to maintain compact shape and encourage new growth.
Flowers may not appear if plants are regularly trimmed/sheared.
No serious insect or disease problems, but blight and root rot may occur (overwatering).

Won't Tolerate

Avoid rich soil
Avoid prolonged exposure to wet soil - susceptible to root rot
Fungal disease (blight) may occur in humid environments, ensure plants have adequate air flow.

History

&

Points of Interest

Santolina has been mentioned in ancient Roman and Greek texts as a medicinal plant where it was prescribed as a remedy against poisonous bites and as a vermifuge. In the 16th century, it was introduced to England where its silvery-gray foliage was prized as hedging in knot gardens.

The foliage has been used as an insecticide and moth repellant.
Blooms bright yellow, globular flowers in mid to late summer.
It can be used in herb gardens, rock gardens, as edging, in border fronts, knot gardens, as ground cover, etc.

USES: Aromatic

Dried leaves may be used is in sachets
Although it was once considered a medicinal plant, it is no longer used in that capacity.

Information about this plant can be found here: Missouri botanical garden plant finder