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Santolina chamaecyparissus
cotton vavender
Western and central Mediterranean (Spain, Portugal, Italy, North Africa)Learn more
Overview
A compact, mound-forming evergreen subshrub reaching 18-24 inches (45-60 cm) tall and 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) wide. Stems are woody at the base, becoming herbaceous toward the tips. Leaves are pinnately divided into tiny, tightly packed segments, 0.5-1.5 inches (1.3-4 cm) long, densely covered in white-woolly pubescence that gives the entire plant a silver-gray appearance. Foliage is aromatic when bruised, with a sharp, camphoraceous scent. Button-like flower heads, 0.5-0.75 inch (1.3-2 cm) in diameter, are bright yellow and borne singly on unbranched peduncles 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) above the foliage from June through July. Growth rate is moderate; plants reach near-mature size within 2 years. The mounded form becomes open and woody at the base after 4-6 years without regular pruning. Plants are short-lived in humid climates with heavy soils, typically declining within 3-5 years under those conditions. In well-drained sites with low humidity, plants persist 8-10 years. Foliage may become leggy and lose its compact form in partial shade. Root rot in wet winter soils is the primary cause of decline in Pacific Northwest gardens west of the Cascades.
Native Range
Native to the western and central Mediterranean region, from Spain and Portugal to Italy and the coastal areas of North Africa. Found on dry, rocky limestone hillsides, garigue scrublands, and coastal cliffs in full sun, typically below 2,000 feet (600 m) elevation.Suggested Uses
Commonly planted in Mediterranean-style gardens, xeric borders, and knot gardens at 18-24 inch (45-60 cm) spacing. The dense, compact form and silver foliage serve as a low informal hedge or edging when sheared regularly. Grows in containers of at least 3 gallons (11 L) with fast-draining, gritty media.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 2'
Width/Spread2' - 3'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowers from June through July in zones 6-9. Individual flower heads persist for 2-3 weeks; total bloom period extends 4-6 weeks. Some gardeners remove flower buds to maintain the compact silver foliage mound, as the yellow flowers on tall stems alter the plant's silhouette. In mild climates, a sparse secondary bloom may occur in early fall.Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Silver-gray, densely woolly; pinnately divided into tiny segmentsGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Water sparingly once established; supplemental irrigation during dry periods of more than 4 weeks may be needed in the first year, but mature plants tolerate extended drought. Overwatering and poor drainage cause root rot, particularly in heavy clay soils; amend planting sites with coarse grit or plant on raised beds in areas with wet winters. Avoid fertilization; excess nutrients promote soft, leggy growth that is more susceptible to winter damage and reduces foliage density. Spider mites may occur in hot, dry conditions but are rarely damaging. No significant disease problems in well-drained sites. Replace plants every 5-8 years as they become woody and open at the base.Pruning
Cut back by one-half to two-thirds in early to mid-spring (March-April) after the last hard frost, just as new growth begins. This annual hard pruning is essential to maintain the compact, dense mound; unpruned plants become leggy and bare at the center within 2-3 years. Do not cut into completely bare, old wood; leave at least some visible green growth on each stem. Flower stems can be removed after bloom to maintain the foliage mound shape, or left for seed if desired.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Maintenance Level
moderateContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons