| Santolina as a Mediterranean native, is virtually a | | | | from a stylistic point of view. For most herbal plants, |
| "must" plant for a dry, Mediterranean-style garden. It | | | | like Lavender, Sage, and Thyme, are also |
| is a sub-shrub or woody perennial, growing to about | | | | Mediterranean natives, and have similar leaf shapes |
| 70cm (2ft) in height and a meter (1ft) in width. The | | | | and texture. A herb garden edged with a foot-high |
| best-known species is Santolina chamaecyparissus, or | | | | Santolina hedge, is perfect for more formal |
| Lavender Cotton, with its grey colored, finely | | | | compositions. |
| toothed foliage. Species with green leaves include S. | | | | Thought should also be given as to how the bedding |
| pinnata and S. rosmarinifolia (virens). | | | | plants associate with the trees and shrubs in the |
| Santolinas also flower profusely through the summer | | | | garden composition. In order to create as much unity |
| with their small, button, daisy-like blooms. The plants | | | | as possible, the ground plane, i.e. the bedding plants, |
| are best chosen however for their foliage and | | | | should link with the "walls and ceiling" of the garden, |
| small-scale landscaping properties than for their flower | | | | i.e. the trees and shrubs. Therefore, Santolina |
| color. They can serve as a stable element in a | | | | combines well with shrubs like Juniper, Melaleuca, and |
| flowerbed; holding the border while perennials have | | | | Grevillea, as well as with coniferous and |
| been cut down, and annuals replaced, and are | | | | Mediterranean trees such as Pomegranate and Olive. |
| particularly effective as niche plants between rocks | | | | Care and Maintenance |
| or flagstones. | | | | The most important thing is to clip them frequently in |
| Santolina, especially the grey-leaved Lavender Cotton, | | | | order to prevent them coming too woody and top - |
| is not suitable for tropical gardens, looking singularly | | | | heavy. The clipping will reduce the number of flowers, |
| out of place with the lush, large leaves and course | | | | but the plants will grow more densely and compactly |
| foliage texture typical of tropical plants. However, it | | | | as a result. Santolinas are not fussy plants, but they |
| combines excellently with the finely toothed foliage | | | | do need good drainage. Other than that, they |
| of Chrysanthemum, (some) Achillea, or Rosemary, | | | | perform perfectly well under a low watering regime, |
| and with flowering plants that have small blooms. | | | | and so are ideal bedding plants for dry climate |
| Its leaves are fragrant when bruised or clipped, and | | | | gardens. |
| so it is a valuable addition to a herb garden, at least | | | | |