Gray Santolina
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Santolina chamaecyparissus
Santolina chamaecyparissus, commonly called lavender cotton or gray Santolina, is a small, semi-woody, tender sub-shrub with aromatic, evergreen, silver-gray foliage. It typically grows in a mound to 2' tall, spreading to 3' wide, and is native to the Mediterranean (southern Europe and northern Africa). Pinnately divided leaves have a rough texture and musk-like fragrance, with button-like, 3/4-inch wide, bright yellow flowers of this aster family member bloom in summer atop stalks rising well above the foliage to 6" tall. Flowers may not appear if plants are regularly trimmed/sheared, often grown in herb gardens.
They are quickly grown, on average, in dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun, and plants appreciate regular moisture during the first year but tolerate drought once roots are established. Plants perform well in limey soils and tolerate poor dry soils but avoid rich and wet ones. Gritty or sandy soils help provide the exceptional drainage that these plants need. Plants dislike humid weather, where they are more susceptible to fungal diseases and tend to lose compact shape by opening up in the center. Deadhead spent flowers as soon as they faded. Cut back in spring to maintain a compact form and encourage new growth. This plant may be grown annually.
Height: 1’-2'
Spread: 2’-3'
Bloom: July-August
Light: Full Sun
Water: Low, Moderate
Zone: 6, 7, 8, 9
Origin: Western and Central Mediterranean
Winter Shipping: We will continue to ship throughout winter. If you prefer, we are happy to hold your order until spring; please include that request in your shipping notes.
When you order plants from our nursery, you can expect them to arrive in the best possible condition. Our team carefully packs each order using sturdy, biodegradable packaging materials.
Your plants' appearance may vary depending on the season and their current growth stage. We may cut back the leafy growth of some plants to prepare them for shipment and transplanting.
5 Gallon and Up: Any plant purchased to ship over 5 Gallons will be shipped bare root. This means we will remove the plant from its original pot, remove the soil surrounding the roots, and wrap the roots with a biodegradable plastic bag. This reduces weight and the likelihood of damage during shipping.
Once your plants arrive, it is essential to plant them as soon as possible. This will help them rebound and thrive. If you cannot plant immediately, water regularly and keep the roots off heat-conducting surfaces.
Newly transplanted plants often require more water until their roots are well established. Plan to water them 1-3 times weekly for the first few months.
