Lavender Cotton
(Santolina chamaecyparissus)
Lavender Cotton (Santolina chamaecyparissus)
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Sinan Avcı
CC BY-SA 4.0
Image By:
Sinan Avcı
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Sinan Avcı | License Type: CC BY-SA 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ | Attribution: Sinan Avcı (cc-by-sa) | Rights Holder: Sinan Avcı | Publisher: PlantNet | Date Created: 2019-07-14T16:30:12Z | Title: Santolina chamaecyparissus L.: flower | Notes: Santolina chamaecyparissus L.: flower |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Santolina chamaecyparissus, commonly known as Lavender Cotton, is an evergreen subshrub native to the Mediterranean region, including Southern Europe and North Africa. It typically grows to 50 cm (20 in) tall and broad, forming a dense, compact mound. Lavender Cotton is characterized by its silvery-grey, finely textured foliage that is highly aromatic when crushed. During the summer months, it produces numerous small, bright yellow, button-like flowers that are quite showy and held aloft on slender stems above the foliage. The flowers consist of tubular disc florets without ray florets, attracting pollinators such as bees.
In the garden, Lavender Cotton is appreciated for its drought tolerance, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and Mediterranean-style gardens. It is often used as ground cover or as an edging plant in hot, sunny locations with well-drained soil. Its compact shape and fine texture make it a popular choice for formal borders and knot gardens. To maintain its shape, it should be pruned back in spring. ’Nana’, a dwarf cultivar, is particularly prized for its smaller size and has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Lavender Cotton thrives in full sun and can tolerate low to medium water once established, preferring well-drained soils. While generally easy to care for, it can be short-lived and may suffer from root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
In the garden, Lavender Cotton is appreciated for its drought tolerance, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and Mediterranean-style gardens. It is often used as ground cover or as an edging plant in hot, sunny locations with well-drained soil. Its compact shape and fine texture make it a popular choice for formal borders and knot gardens. To maintain its shape, it should be pruned back in spring. ’Nana’, a dwarf cultivar, is particularly prized for its smaller size and has been awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Lavender Cotton thrives in full sun and can tolerate low to medium water once established, preferring well-drained soils. While generally easy to care for, it can be short-lived and may suffer from root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Subshrub, Shrub
- Height: 1-2 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Flowering Season: Summer
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Border Plant, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Groundcover, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting
Natural Habitat
Mediterranean region, including Southern Europe and North Africa
Other Names
Common Names: Cotton Lavender, Zypressenkraut, Grå Helgonört
Scientific Names: , Santolina chamaecyparissus, Santolina incana, Achillea chamaecyparissus, Echinacea chamaecyparissus, Santolina chamaecyparissus f. chamaecyparissus, Santolina chamaecyparissus var. chamaecyparissus,
GBIF Accepted Name: Santolina chamaecyparissus L.