Photo of Santolina chamaecyparissus flower, foliage, form by Stan Shebs

Photo by Stan Shebs

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Santolina chamaecyparissus

Also Known As

  • Cotton Lavender
  • Gray Santolina
  • Grey Lavender Cotton
  • Lavender Cotton

Plant type

shrub, herb

size

  • H: 1'-2'
  • W: 2'-4'

planting zones

  • 6a-9b

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Santolina chamaecyparissus plant details

Santolina chamaecyparissus is a moderate-growing, slow-growing broadleaf evergreen herb or shrub with blue foliage. In spring yellow flowers emerge. Features fuzzy texture. Attracts bees making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and occasional water. Drought tolerant once established. Does well in acidic, average, gritty, lean and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something pollution tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Santolina chamaecyparissus

Plant type: herb or shrub
Plant family: asteraceae
Foliage: evergreen blue
Mature size: 2 FT - 4 FT - wide, 1 FT - 2 FT - tall
Flowers: yellow blooms in spring
Uses: dried-arrangements, formal-garden, fragrant foliage, hedge, rock garden, year round interest

GROWING CONDITIONS for Santolina chamaecyparissus

USDA Zones: 6a - 9b
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: occasional
Resistant to: deer, rabbit and snail / slug, pollution
Soil needs: acidic, average, gritty, lean and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Santolina chamaecyparissus ssp. tomentosa.
Evergreen shrub that forms into a broad, dense mound of silvery gray-green foliage that is aromatic when crushed. Yellow flowers appear on new growth in the summer. Pruning after flowering is recommended. Does well in poor soils, and is salt and drought tolerant. Looks nice in a mixed border. Growth Rate slow
A small, hardy, evergreen shrub from the Mediterranean, bearing pale lemon, button-like flowers in Summer. A useful plant for hedging or the edging of driveways, paths etc. Tolerant of dry conditions and poor soils.Very tough as long as drainage is good.

By: Zephs

Gardening facts about Santolina chamaecyparissus plant

How to Grow Santolina chamaecyparissus

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • occasional - drought tolerant
  • Soil Needs

    • acidic
    • average
    • lean
    • well-drained
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • pollution tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • blue
  • Flower Color

    • yellow
  • Wildlife

    • bees
    • deer resistant
    • snail / slug resistant
    • rabbit resistant
  • Flower Season

    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • fuzzy

See other plant types of Santolina for your garden

aka Green Lavender Cotton

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

6b-9b

Size

Height: 18"-24"

Width: 24"

  • sun - mostly sun
  • occasional
Photo of Santolina virens flower, foliage, form by Stan Shebs
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aka Santolina chamaecyparissus 'Lime Fizz', Santolina virens 'Lemon Fizz', Cotton Lavender, Lavender Cotton

Plant Type

Perennial

Zones

6b-10b

Size

Height: 12"-18"

Width: 12"-24"

  • sun - mostly shade
  • regular - drought tolerant
Photo of Santolina rosmarinifolia 'Lemon Fizz' foliage by Little Prince of Oregon
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aka Lemon Queen Lavender Cotton

Plant Type

Shrub

Zones

6a-8b

Size

Height: 12"

Width: 12"

  • sun
  • regular - occasional
Photo of Santolina chamaecyparissus 'Lemon Queen' buds by Anna Kullgren
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aka Santolina chamaecyparissus var. nana, Santolina incana 'Nana', Lavender Cotton

Plant Type

Shrub

Zones

6a-10b

Size

Height: 1'

Width: 2'-3'

  • sun - mostly sun
  • low - drought tolerant
  • dry in winter
Photo of Santolina chamaecyparissus 'Nana' foliage by Alan Lorence
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aka Santolina rosmarinifolia subsp. rosmarinifolia, Lavender Cotton

Plant Type

Shrub

Zones

4a-9a

Size

Height: 3'

Width: 3'

  • sun
  • low - drought tolerant
Photo of Santolina rosmarinifolia flower by Ximénex
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+6 more Santolina
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