Santolina chamaecyparissus

Santolina chamaecyparissus is a distinctive evergreen sub-shrub cultivated primarily for its striking, woolly, silver-grey foliage, which provides excellent texture and contrast in the garden. While the leaves are highly aromatic with a strong, pungent scent similar to chamomile and lavender, they are rarely used for culinary purposes; instead, the plant is historically valued for its use in moth-repelling sachets, potpourri, and as a natural insect deterrent.

This hardy plant typically grows as a dense, rounded bush that is ideal for creating low hedging, knot gardens, or edging sunny borders. It thrives in full sun, which is essential to maintain the intense silver colour of the leaves and prevent the plant from flopping. Highly drought-tolerant once established, it demands poor, sandy, or gritty soil with excellent drainage and will suffer quickly if planted in heavy, wet ground.

Please Note: When purchasing plants please consider that each live item is unique and may therefore differ from the images shown, which are for illustration purposes only - The plant will be supplied in a growers pot.