Santolina rosmarinifolia subsp. rosmarinifolia
green lavender cotton
A spreading evergreen shrub to 60cm tall, with finely dissected green leaves and bright yellow flower heads 2cm wide in mid summer
Other common names
holy flax
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Green | |||
| Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Santolina are aromatic, dwarf evergreen shrubs with entire or pinnately dissected leaves and dense, button-like flower-heads in summer
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Spain, Portugal
How to grow
Cultivation
Easy to grow evergreen sub-shrub that thrives in hot, sunny, well-drained sites. Useful as a dwarf-hedging substitute although they can be short-lived
Propagation
Propagate by semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in late-summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Patio and container plants
- Rock garden
- Coastal
- Flower borders and beds
- Hedging and screens
- Garden edging
Pruning
Pruning group 10. Trim back after flowering to maintain a dense, compact shrub
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility
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