Lavender Cotton, Santolina chamaecyparissus, is an interesting
ornamental herb that grows to about 2 foot tall. It's considered an
evergreen shrub that is hardy to 0 degrees (-18C). Santolina has
lovely soft grayish foliage and small yellow flowers. Many times
you'll see it used in formal herb gardens but it can be adapted for
many landscape options. Lavender cotton has many good points:
it's drought tolerant, ornamental, easy to grow and the foliage can
be dried and used to repel moths.
Santolina will grow well in Zones 5-10 in a sunny spot. After planting,
when it's established, this herb is drought tolerant even in the hottest
locations, including next to walls or reflective surfaces. Try mixing it
with ornamental grasses and other plants that can take a dry, sunny
location. To keep it neat looking, it can be shaped in the spring and
deadheaded after blooming. If there is a period without rain, water
every two weeks or so.
Lavender cotton is versatile in that it can be used as an edging plant,
a ground cover, an addition to a rock garden or an herb garden. If
you want to use it as an edging then plan on spacing the plants about
18 inches apart. The color and texture of the foliage is very interesting,
which will add a nice touch to the landscape locations I mentioned. The
flowers are tiny, yellow and button shaped. They bloom in mid to late
summer.
Lavender cotton will grow in soil that is dry, even a little sandy, like
many other herbs. Water at soil level, not from above, and make sure
it's given good drainage at all times.
Even if there wasn't a practical use for Lavender cotton, it would be an
interesting and pretty herb to grow, but it does have uses. The foliage
can be used as a moth repellent in sachets or hung in small bunches.
The flowers can be dried as everlastings, and the fresh foliage and
flowers can be used in cut flower arrangements. There is also a green
and pinkish variety as well as the traditional gray santolina.
Richters
Herbs carry lavender cotton.
About the author:
Brenda Hyde is a wife and mom to three living in the Midwest
United States. She is also editor of OldFashionedLiving.com.
Perennial & Landscaping Resources
Breck's: Bulbs & Plants
Spring Hill Nursery
Michigan Bulb
Henry Field's
Gurney's Seed & Nursery
Jackson & Perkins
White
Flower Farm
Nature Hills Nursery
