Santolina chamaecyparissus
cotton lavender
- Position: full sun
- Soil: poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: July to August
- Hardiness: frost hardy (may need winter protection)
A compact rounded shrub with woolly young shoots and (when crushed) aromatic, grey-white foliage. In mid to late summer small, yellow button-like flowers hover above on wiry stems. Perfect for a sheltered, sunny, well-drained border or gravel garden. - Garden care: Ensure good drainage in the pot or soil area when planting by incorporating grit and working the ground on particularly heavy soils. Remove the faded flower-heads along with any straggly shoots in autumn. In early spring cut back the flowered shoots to within 2.5cm (1in) of the old growth.