About

An evergreen mound-forming shrub with silver-grey, delicately cut, woolly aromatic leaves. In summer it produces pale yellow pompom-like flowers on thin stems, which are held above the foliage.

About the genus

Santolina are aromatic, dwarf evergreen shrubs with entire or pinnately dissected leaves and dense, button-like flower-heads in summer

Growing conditions

SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained, Moist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, East-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5

Plant details

Plant typeShrubs
HabitBushy
FoliageEvergreen
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Mediterranean climate plants
FragranceFoliage

Care notes

CultivationGrow in a sunny sheltered position on free-draining soil. Drought tolerant once established. Cut back previous years growth in spring or trim soon after flowering to keep plant compact and bushy
PruningPruning group 10
PropagationTake semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Branches can also be layered.
Pest resistanceGenerally pest-free
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to honey fungus in gardens where it is present but insufficient data to determine degree of susceptibility