Santolina chamaecyparissus or Cotton Lavender

Care of the shrub Santolina chamaecyparissus or Cotton Lavender

The genus Santolina, family Asteraceae, comprises 15 species of shrubs native to the Mediterranean region. Some species are: Santolina chamaecyparissus, Santolina rosmarinifolia, Santolina suaveolens, Santolina viscosa.

Common names: Cotton Lavender, Santolina, Lavender-cotton, Gray Santolina. This especies is native to the western and central Mediterranean.

They are evergreen shrubs with a rounded shape that reach 50 cm (19.68") in height. The attractive leaves are aromatic, small, and silvery-gray in color. The showy deep yellow scented flowers appear in hemispherical chapters 1 cm (0.39") in diameter above the leaves. They bloom in late spring and early summer.

Cotton Lavender is used in rockeries, on edges, to cover dry and stony slopes and in areas of the garden that are difficult to access. It's ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens and for cities. It combines very well with plants of the Rosmarinus and Cistus genus.

Gray Santolina has antispasmodic medicinal properties, stimulants of digestion and against intestinal worms; it also scares away clothes moths. Collect the flowery heads in late spring. Once dry they are stored in bags like Chamomile. It is consumed as an infusion.

Santolina chamaecyparissus needs full sun exposure and a Mediterranean climate. It resists light and occasional frosts.

Lavender-cotton prefers calcareous, poor and very well drained soils.

Cotton Lavender is a very resistant to drought plant that needs moderate watering, waiting until the substrate has completely dried.

Santolina chamaecyparissus does not need fertilizers.

Prune the wilted inflorescences and in autumn prune intensively to strengthen the plant.

Cotton Lavender is a resistant plant to the usual pests and diseases.

Santolina chamaecyparissus is propagated by woody cuttings in the fall.