About

Santolina Etrusca is a species within the genus Santolina, a group of small evergreen shrubs in the chamomile tribe. It is notable for aromatic, often densely silvery‑haired foliage and compact, button-like composite flowerheads. The flowerheads are borne on slender stems held above the leaves and appear in the UK from June to August. Plants in this genus characteristically lack ray florets, showing only the dense central discs.

About the genus

Santolina is a genus of plants in the chamomile tribe within the sunflower family, primarily from the western Mediterranean region.

Wikipedia contributors, "Santolina", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Santolina

In the garden

Santolina Etrusca sits within the genus Santolina, a Mediterranean group in the chamomile tribe of the sunflower family. Members of the genus are small evergreen shrubs, typically reaching roughly 10–60 cm in height, and are distinguished by their aromatic, often silvery or densely hairy leaves. The composite flowerheads are produced as dense, globose buttons, 1–2 cm across, on slender stems held above the foliage and lack ray florets. Flowers are recorded in the UK between June and August. The compact flowerheads are either yellow or white and are carried clear of the leaves on stems about 10–25 cm above the foliage, which gives the plant a low architectural profile in the border or container. Santolina species have ecological relationships with several specialist Lepidoptera; recorded insects include Bucculatrix santolinella and a number of Coleophora case-bearers, some of which feed exclusively on Santolina. In garden use, the combination of silvery, aromatic foliage and button-like flowerheads makes the species suitable where a low, clearly defined evergreen feature is required, and will attract small specialist moth larvae noted above.