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Soft silvery foliage, which somewhat resembles French lavender, gives this plant its common name of lavender cotton. It is a good edging plant in sunny, well-drained spots. Santolina was commonly used medicinally and can be used to ward off insects.

Latin Name

Santolina chamaecyparissus


Family

Asteraceae


Also Known As

Lavender Cotton


Type of Plant

Shrubs Shrubs
Herbs Herbs

Bloom Season

July - August

Seasons

Fall Fall
Spring Spring
Summer Summer
Winter Winter

Specifications

Max height Max Height: 2'
Max spread Max Spread: 3'

Uses

  • Herb
  • Hedge
  • Flower Border

  • Sunlight Exposure

    Full Sun Full Sun

    Tolerances

  • Drought

  • Colors


    Native Range

    Western and Central Mediterranean


    History

    Santolina has been in use since the middle ages as a medicinal herb and is a staple of Colonial Revival gardens.


    Planted at Mount Vernon

    Planted at Mount Vernon Lower Garden

  • Lower Garden

  • Hardiness Zones

    6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b USDA basemap

    Average annual extreme minimum temperature 1976-2005

    map legend 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b

    Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been working with Mount Vernon Estate since 2011 providing expert arboricultural care and GPS mapping for the estate’s historic trees, as well as support from their research facility.   Mount Vernon is proud to partner with Bartlett Tree Experts and appreciates their sponsorship of George Washington’s Mount Vernon Plant Finder App.

    Bring Washington's Garden Home

    Purchase our historic seeds, collected from plants grown at Mount Vernon and plant them in your own garden.

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