Cotton lavender

Sun

Full sun; shade produces loose growth and less silvery foliage.

Water

Low once established. Water new plants during dry spells, then water established plants only during prolonged drought; let the soil dry between waterings.

Soil

Well-drained, preferably sandy, gravelly or stony soil. Tolerates poor soil and alkaline conditions; avoid heavy, waterlogged ground.

Height

1-2 ft (0.3-0.6 m)

Spread

2-3 ft (0.6-0.9 m)

Flowers

Early to midsummer; small, rounded yellow flower heads held above the foliage.

Foliage

Evergreen. Fine, deeply divided, woolly silver-grey leaves with a strong herbal scent when brushed or crushed.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Medium

• Plant in full sun with excellent drainage; use a raised bed or mound where soil stays wet.
• Water through the first growing season when the root zone dries, then reduce watering.
• Avoid routine feeding; rich soil encourages soft, sprawling growth.
• Use a thin gravel mulch and keep it clear of the woody base.
• Keep plants in containers out of standing water, particularly in winter.

Pruning. In spring, once severe frosts have passed, lightly trim leafy shoots to keep a compact mound without cutting into bare old wood. Shear off spent flower stems after flowering, avoiding hard pruning late in the growing season.

Spring

Plant in free-draining soil once severe frosts have passed.

Mid-spring

Remove dead or frost-damaged tips and lightly shape established plants, keeping cuts within leafy growth.

Early summer

Check newly planted shrubs during dry weather and water deeply when the root zone is dry.

Midsummer

Enjoy the yellow flowers, or clip developing flower stems if you prefer a purely silver mound.

Late summer

Remove spent flowers and take semi-ripe cuttings from healthy non-flowering shoots.

Winter

Check drainage and remove wet fallen leaves lodged around the base.

• Clip into low edging along sunny paths or around herb beds.
• Repeat rounded silver mounds through a gravel garden with lavender and rockrose.
• Use in knot gardens and parterres for a pale contrast to green clipped plants.
• Plant beside purple-flowered perennials to contrast their colour and upright flower spikes.

Garden styles it suits: Mediterranean, Dry gravel garden, Tudor knot garden, Herb parterre, Desert / xeriscape and Coastal.

Plant it with: English lavender, Rosemary, Rockrose, Catmint, Bearded iris and Yarrow.

Wildlife: The yellow flowers attract bees and other visiting insects. Regular clipping before flowering removes this food source.

• Root rot and winter losses in wet soil: improve drainage before planting, use a raised position and avoid frequent watering.
• Woody, open growth with a bare centre: trim lightly each year; replace badly overgrown plants because bare old wood may not regrow.
• Frost damage, especially in exposed or wet sites: choose a sheltered, freely draining position and remove damaged tips in spring.
• Aphids on soft shoots: rinse off small colonies with water and avoid excessive feeding.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, although species-specific safety information is limited. It is not a culinary substitute for lavender; discourage eating the leaves or flowers.

• Green lavender cotton (Santolina rosmarinifolia)

  Has greener, less woolly foliage with narrow leaf segments rather than the densely grey, finely divided foliage of cotton lavender.

• Curry plant (Helichrysum italicum)

  Has narrow, undivided silver leaves with a curry-like scent and clusters of small yellow flowers rather than separate button heads.

• English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

  Has narrow, undivided leaves and usually purple flower spikes, rather than finely divided foliage and yellow button flowers.

The species name chamaecyparissus means 'ground cypress', referring to its low growth and cypress-like foliage.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings from non-flowering shoots in mid- to late summer and root in a gritty, free-draining medium. Seed is another option, but seedlings may vary and may not retain cultivar characteristics.

Accepted botanical name

Santolina chamaecyparissus

In the US and Canada

Introduced in the lower 48 states.

Native range

Italy and Yugoslavia.

Measured

Soil pH 7.5 to 8. Average height 50 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.