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.

They are used in rockeries, on edges, to cover dry and stony slopes and in areas of the garden that are difficult to access. They are ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens and for cities. They combine very well with plants of the Rosmarinus and Cistus genus.

They have antispasmodic medicinal properties, stimulants of digestion and against intestinal worms; they also scare 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. They resist light and occasional frosts.

They prefer calcareous, poor and very well drained soils.

They are very resistant to drought plants that need moderate watering, waiting until the substrate has completely dried.

They do not need fertilizers.

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

They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases.

They are propagated by woody cuttings in the fall.