Santolina, a hardy perennial plant, grows from 30 to 75 cm (12 to 30 inches) in height and blooms from the end of spring through summer. It is native to the coastal Mediterranean basin and is salt-tolerant. The main care requirement is annual pruning after planting.
Green Santolina, also known as Lavender cotton or Cotton lavender, is a compact, evergreen shrub with a dense, bushy growth habit. It grows in a rounded, mounding shape and its finely divided foliage gives it a unique appearance. Santolina chamaecyparissus, also known as lavender cotton or gray santolina, is a dwarf evergreen shrub with silvery gray and green foliage. It belongs to the family of lavender cotton and is known for its ornamental flowering plants.
Santolina is used in folk medicine to make a tea that expelled intestinal worms or was used as an eye wash. Once established, it requires only infrequent watering and is completely drought-tolerant, though looser growing in shaded sites. Over-watering in summer can stimulate fungal growth that can be fatal. Shrubs prefer full sun but grow quite easily in nearly full shade where flowering is diminished.
To maintain the Santolina plant, it needs a warm, dry, and sunny location, avoiding moist, humus-rich, and shady areas. Grow Santolina in average to poor soil that is sandy or gritty and well-drained. Mature santolina is drought-tolerant, so it should be watered deeply and infrequently.
Lavender cotton should be planted in a location with full sun exposure for at least six hours of bright, direct light daily. Santolina grow best in full sun and require little care and maintenance apart from deadheading old flower stalks with garden shears.
📹 Drought Tolerant – Gray Santolina
Host Casey Hentges shows a beautiful drought tolerant plant perfect for the summer heat. Airdate (07/09/22) #4902 Questions?
Can I divide Santolina?
Santolina herb plants are drought-tolerant and require minimal to moderate irrigation once established. They are best planted in full sun through USDA zone 6 in soil of almost any type. Overwatering can kill the plant, and wet, humid weather can foster fungal development. To prevent splitting or dying, prune Santolina back in late winter or spring. However, Santolina plant care indicates ease of propagation. Take 3-4 inch cuttings in the fall, pot them, provide heat, and plant in the garden in summer.
Seeds can be sown under a cold frame in fall or spring. The herb will begin to grow roots when a branch touches the soil, creating a new Santolina. Santolina plants are pest and disease resistant, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, making them a must-have specimen for water-efficient gardens or excellent replacements when eliminating a lawn entirely. Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter to receive a free download of our DIY eBook “Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter”.
Can I split santolina?
Santolina herb plants are drought-tolerant and require minimal to moderate irrigation once established. They are best planted in full sun through USDA zone 6 in soil of almost any type. Overwatering can kill the plant, and wet, humid weather can foster fungal development. To prevent splitting or dying, prune Santolina back in late winter or spring. However, Santolina plant care indicates ease of propagation. Take 3-4 inch cuttings in the fall, pot them, provide heat, and plant in the garden in summer.
Seeds can be sown under a cold frame in fall or spring. The herb will begin to grow roots when a branch touches the soil, creating a new Santolina. Santolina plants are pest and disease resistant, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, making them a must-have specimen for water-efficient gardens or excellent replacements when eliminating a lawn entirely. Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter to receive a free download of our DIY eBook “Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter”.
Can I split Santolina?
Santolina herb plants are drought-tolerant and require minimal to moderate irrigation once established. They are best planted in full sun through USDA zone 6 in soil of almost any type. Overwatering can kill the plant, and wet, humid weather can foster fungal development. To prevent splitting or dying, prune Santolina back in late winter or spring. However, Santolina plant care indicates ease of propagation. Take 3-4 inch cuttings in the fall, pot them, provide heat, and plant in the garden in summer.
Seeds can be sown under a cold frame in fall or spring. The herb will begin to grow roots when a branch touches the soil, creating a new Santolina. Santolina plants are pest and disease resistant, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant, making them a must-have specimen for water-efficient gardens or excellent replacements when eliminating a lawn entirely. Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter to receive a free download of our DIY eBook “Bring Your Garden Indoors: 13 DIY Projects For Fall And Winter”.
Is santolina a perennial?
Santanolina is an easy-to-grow evergreen perennial suitable for xeriscaping, mixed borders, or with Mediterranean herbs. It’s hardy to USDA Zone 6 and blooms all summer with fragrant musky foliage. Santanolina chamaecyparissus has narrow grey-green leaves with yellow button-like composite flowers, while Santanolina virens ‘Lemon Fizz’ has low mounds of fragrant, bright yellow to chartreuse foliage with pale yellow flowers.
How tall does santolina plant grow?
Santolina chamaecyparissus, also known as lavender cotton or gray santolina, is a small, semi-woody sub-shrub native to the Mediterranean area. It grows in a mound and has aromatic, evergreen, silver-gray foliage. The plant has button-like, bright yellow flowers that bloom in summer atop stalks. The plant is often grown in herb gardens and has historically been used as an insecticide and moth repellant. The genus name comes from the old name for the species S. virens. There are no serious insect or disease problems, but blight and root rot may occur.
Can you eat santolina?
Santolina Grey is a plant with aromatic leaves that can be used to flavor soups, broths, stews, sauces, meat, fish, or grain dishes. Its leaves and flowers can be harvested in summer and dried for later use. In ancient times, Santolina Grey was used for medicinal purposes, including antispasmodic, disinfectant, stimulant, vermifuge, and regulating menstrual cycles. It was also used to treat insect bites and stings, relieving pain quickly.
Santolina Grey has many active constituent chemicals that have been shown to be useful, but scientific research is inconclusive due to the variable concentration of chemicals within plants. Currently, Santolina is rarely used as an herbal remedy, with its main purpose being ornamental.
Can you eat Santolina?
Santolina Grey is a plant with aromatic leaves that can be used to flavor soups, broths, stews, sauces, meat, fish, or grain dishes. Its leaves and flowers can be harvested in summer and dried for later use. In ancient times, Santolina Grey was used for medicinal purposes, including antispasmodic, disinfectant, stimulant, vermifuge, and regulating menstrual cycles. It was also used to treat insect bites and stings, relieving pain quickly.
Santolina Grey has many active constituent chemicals that have been shown to be useful, but scientific research is inconclusive due to the variable concentration of chemicals within plants. Currently, Santolina is rarely used as an herbal remedy, with its main purpose being ornamental.
Does santolina need pruning?
Santolina chamaecyparissus plants require pruning twice a year to prevent leggy growth and reveal bare stems. Cut back hard in mid-spring, reducing growth by at least half, and remove dead flower stems in late summer. Lightly trim the entire plant and remove dead flower stems as low as possible. Cotton lavender can be purchased as pot-grown plants year-round from nurseries, garden centers, or online. Always check plants for signs of disease or damage before buying or planting.
How long does santolina live?
Santolina is an evergreen sub-shrub native to Sonoma County, known for its dense, silvery gray foliage up to 2 ft. high and wide. It thrives in sandy, rocky, and infertile soils and can tolerate garden loam or well-amended clay as long as it is well-drained. Once established, santolina requires only infrequent watering and is completely drought-tolerant, though looser growing in shaded sites. Shrubs prefer full sun but can grow easily in nearly full shade.
Gardeners can grow santolina in various ways, such as removing the ½ in. yellow, button-like, summer flowers on tall stems, shear plants regularly as a low hedge along walkways or garden borders, or combine them with a low-growing teucrium to create a classic knot garden. Santolina can also be used in rock gardens or mixed with other low-water perennials and herbs.
Plants can be propagated by taking stem cuttings in the fall, potting them in a quality nursery planting mix, and providing bottom heat over winter. They can occasionally layer themselves when a branch bends down and touches moist soil, and after roots develop, they can be snipped off and replanted elsewhere.
How long does Santolina live?
Santolina is an evergreen sub-shrub native to Sonoma County, known for its dense, silvery gray foliage up to 2 ft. high and wide. It thrives in sandy, rocky, and infertile soils and can tolerate garden loam or well-amended clay as long as it is well-drained. Once established, santolina requires only infrequent watering and is completely drought-tolerant, though looser growing in shaded sites. Shrubs prefer full sun but can grow easily in nearly full shade.
Gardeners can grow santolina in various ways, such as removing the ½ in. yellow, button-like, summer flowers on tall stems, shear plants regularly as a low hedge along walkways or garden borders, or combine them with a low-growing teucrium to create a classic knot garden. Santolina can also be used in rock gardens or mixed with other low-water perennials and herbs.
Plants can be propagated by taking stem cuttings in the fall, potting them in a quality nursery planting mix, and providing bottom heat over winter. They can occasionally layer themselves when a branch bends down and touches moist soil, and after roots develop, they can be snipped off and replanted elsewhere.
What grows well with Santolina?
Santolina chamaecyparissus, a vibrant evergreen shrub from the Mediterranean, is a hardy and vibrant plant that adds vibrant hues to gardens. Its narrow, woolly leaves are retained all year, and its yellow button-like flowerheads attract pollinators. This hardy shrub is ideal for a sunny, well-drained border or rock garden, making it an excellent groundcover, edging, or low hedging. It can be planted alongside other Mediterranean plants for an aromatic, sun-baked, and drought-tolerant display.
It prefers poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil, and can withstand temperatures as low as -15C without additional protection. Hayloft, founded by Yvonne in 1992, is one of the UK’s favorite online plant nurseries.
📹 Lavender Cotton – Santolina chamaecyparissus
This great drought-tolerant plant looks a little like lavender and has little “poof-ball” flowers, but it is not related to cotton. However …
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