Botanical Name: Santolina chamaecyparissus
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Common Name: Gray Santolina  
Plant photo of: Santolina chamaecyparissus
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Broadleaf Evergreen, Perennial

 

Height Range

1-3'

 

Flower Color

Yellow

 

Flower Season

Summer

 

Leaf Color

Grey, Silver

 

Bark Color

Grey

 

Fruit Color

n/a

 

Fruit Season

n/a

Sun

Full

 

Water

Low

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Sandy, Clay, Loam, Rocky, Unparticular

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained, Dry

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees

Design Styles

English Cottage, Formal, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish

 

Accenting Features

Fragrance, Showy Flowers, Unusual Foliage

 

Seasonal Interest

Winter, Spring, Summer

 

Location Uses

Entry, Perennial Border, Parking Strip, Patio, With Rocks

 

Special Uses

Cut Flowers, Filler, Hedge, Mass Planting, Fire Resistant

 

Attracts Wildlife

n/a

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer: Linda Engstrom
  • Description

  • Notes

This perennial has so much going for it, from its lovely silvery grey evergreen foliage to the charming yellow button flowers in summer. Foliage has a pleasing musky, herby scent. Ideal for sunny parkstrips, at the front of the perennial border, near walkways. Grows 18 inches tall and up to 24 to 36 inches wide.
Grow in full sun and in well drained soils. Grows in poor soils and becomes floppy if provided with too much water. Trim as needed in mid-spring to shape and tighten foliage, and shear off faded flowers in late summer for a tidy appearance. It will tolerate sun being piled on in the winter, though you will probably have to prune it back come early spring. Parkstrip Value of 3 to 7 sf.