Aromatic Santolina

I received a Santolina start from a friend many years ago.

Also called "Lavender Cotton", the standard variety has bright yellow flowers and more intensely silvery foliage. The variety in my garden has creamy white flowers, and it has earned a place in my top ten for so many reasons.

Hardiness:

• Cold hardy 
• Deer Resistant 
• Highly drought tolerant
• Easy to grow
• Full to sun to part shade
• Easily propagated by layering or rooting cuttings

Benefits:

• Attractive silvery green fern-like foliage 
• Evergreen - does not go dormant in winter
• Aromatic foliage has been used historically to discourage insect pests.
• Long lasting blooming season in early summer
• Adorable button flowers
• Good cut flower, possible to use as dried flower
• Combines well with other plants in the border.
• Santolina cuttings are lovely in winter container arrangements. They will last a long time if kept adequately watered, and may even take root. 

Allow for plenty of space, planting at least two feet from the edge of your border.

The blossoms open out as they mature.

Drawbacks:

-Must have good drainage; will not tolerate excessive watering.

- Although some sites claim you can keep Santolina trimmed to the shape desired, my experience is a rambling shrub that sends its long flower stalks wherever it wishes (even though I trim it every year).

 - Must be pruned back after blooming because the spent flower stems are not attractive, and the plant will become leggy and the woody stems tend to split if not trimmed.
After the flowers turn brown I prune it back vigorously.

- Even with trimming, most plants will need to be replaced after about five years.

However:

Sometimes I take my trimmings and bury them in mud, keeping them moist until the winter rains begin. I usually am rewarded with several rooted cuttings by spring.

The other way to propagate this plant is to layer branches in dirt until they root, then divide the plant.

Just more pictures (below)