{"product_id":"santolina-chamaecyparissus","title":"Santolina chamaecyparissus","description":"\u003ch2 class=\"text-text-100 mt-3 -mb-1 text-[1.125rem] font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCotton Lavender \/ Lavender Cotton\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Santolina chamaecyparissus\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Asteraceae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mediterranean region (Western Mediterranean—Spain, France, Italy)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Evergreen aromatic shrub\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eA superb Mediterranean shrub perfectly suited to Adelaide's climate, Cotton Lavender forms dense, compact mounds of finely-divided silvery-grey aromatic foliage that provide year-round textural interest. Bright golden-yellow button flowers cover the plant in late spring through summer, creating a striking contrast against the silver foliage. The intensely aromatic leaves release a pungent camphor-like scent when brushed, making it ideal for sensory gardens and herb borders. Exceptionally drought-tolerant, heat-loving, and thriving in Adelaide's alkaline soils and hot dry summers, it excels as low hedging, border edging, Mediterranean-style plantings, and filling hot, dry spots where other plants struggle. Ideal for formal knot gardens, low hedges, rockeries, or mass-planted for silver foliage impact, Cotton Lavender brings classic Mediterranean character and low-maintenance elegance to South Australian landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.4–0.6 m H × 0.6–0.8 m W (compact rounded mound; easily maintained smaller with regular clipping)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrowth Rate:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15–25 cm per year under good conditions (moderate-growing)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Finely-divided, coral-like silvery-grey to silver-white aromatic leaves (2–4 cm long); evergreen—provides year-round dense silver textural interest; intensely aromatic (pungent camphor-lavender scent when crushed or brushed)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright golden-yellow button-shaped flowers (1–1.5 cm diameter) on slender stems above foliage; prolific display late spring–summer (Nov–Jan in SA); highly ornamental\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFragrance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Highly aromatic foliage (intense pungent camphor-lavender scent); flowers not particularly fragrant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSeasonal Interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Late spring–summer spectacular golden-yellow flower display against silver foliage; year-round aromatic silvery-grey foliage provides constant textural and colour contrast\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWildlife Value:\u003c\/strong\u003e Good for Pollinators (bees, beneficial insects attracted to flowers); aromatic foliage deters deer and rabbits\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTolerance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Exceptional drought tolerance once established; exceptional heat tolerance; frost-hardy to -10°C; excellent wind tolerance; exceptional coastal tolerance; thrives in poor, alkaline soils; dislikes humidity and overwatering\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Density:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tight hedge\/edging: 3–4 plants per metre @ 25–35 cm spacing; Standard hedge: 2–3 plants per metre @ 35–50 cm spacing; Mass planting\/groundcover: 2–3 plants per m² @ 40–50 cm spacing; Excellent in containers (minimum 30 cm diameter)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePet Friendly:\u003c\/strong\u003e Generally safe (not known to be toxic; aromatic foliage generally not palatable to pets; strong scent may deter chewing)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere It Works Best\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSunlight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun (6–8+ hrs essential for best growth, compact habit and flowering; performs poorly in shade)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very well-drained sandy loam, gravelly or rocky soil; thrives in Adelaide's alkaline soils; excellent in poor, low-nutrient soils; avoid heavy clay and moisture-retentive soils; raised beds ideal if drainage questionable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater Needs:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstablishment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep soak 2 times weekly for 8–10 weeks\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEstablished:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep soak every 3–4 weeks in summer; monthly or less in cooler months; exceptionally drought-tolerant once established; avoid overwatering—prefers dry conditions; minimal to no water in winter\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaintenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Low to moderate maintenance; hard prune after flowering (late summer) to maintain compact shape and prevent woodiness—cut back by one-third to half; alternatively, light clip 2–3 times per year for formal hedge; avoid pruning into old wood; avoid fertilising (thrives in poor soils); refresh gravel mulch if used; generally pest and disease-free; avoid overhead watering which encourages fungal issues\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8–15 years; becomes woody and leggy with age—replace or rejuvenate with hard pruning every 5–8 years for best appearance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClimate Zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate South Australia—Adelaide plains, foothills, Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Mid North, Adelaide Hills; performs exceptionally well in Adelaide's hot, dry conditions\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil pH:\u003c\/strong\u003e Neutral to alkaline (pH 7.0–8.5); thrives in Adelaide's calcareous soils; avoid acidic soils\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape \u0026amp; Design Ideas\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"[li_\u0026amp;]:mb-0 [li_\u0026amp;]:mt-1 [li_\u0026amp;]:gap-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ul]:pb-1 [\u0026amp;:not(:last-child)_ol]:pb-1 list-disc flex flex-col gap-1 pl-8 mb-3\"\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eLow formal hedges and knot garden edging—clips beautifully into tight geometric shapes; silver foliage provides year-round structure; classic choice for parterre and Mediterranean formal gardens\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eBorder edging along pathways, driveways and garden beds—aromatic silver foliage provides sensory experience and visual contrast; bright summer flowers add seasonal colour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMediterranean-style gardens with Lavender, Rosemary, Teucrium and ornamental grasses—creates authentic Mediterranean palette with silver, grey and green textures\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eRockeries and gravel gardens—thrives in hot, dry, rocky conditions; pairs beautifully with succulents, Agave, Echium and Mediterranean perennials\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"whitespace-normal break-words pl-2\"\u003eMass planting on slopes and difficult dry areas—excellent drought tolerance and low water needs suit challenging sites; creates silver carpet with golden summer flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-text-100 mt-2 -mb-1 text-base font-bold\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy You Will Love It\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal leading-[1.7]\"\u003eCotton Lavender delivers brilliant golden-yellow flowers against striking silvery-grey aromatic foliage in late spring–summer—a classic Mediterranean colour combination that thrives in Adelaide's hot, dry climate. The compact mounding habit clips beautifully for formal hedges and edging, while exceptional drought tolerance means it survives Adelaide's long dry summers with minimal water once established. Intensely aromatic foliage creates sensory interest in borders and walkways, and the silver colour provides year-round contrast in mixed plantings. Thrives in Adelaide's alkaline soils where many plants struggle, requires virtually no fertiliser, and brings authentic Mediterranean character with zero fuss—this is hot-climate perfection for South Australian gardens seeking silver foliage and reliable summer colour.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adelaide Plant Co","offers":[{"title":"140mm Pot","offer_id":48836235755772,"sku":"SANT-CHAM-140MM","price":12.49,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/9282\/0220\/files\/santolina-chamaecyparissus-cotton-lavender-140mm-flower-adelaide-plant-co.jpg?v=1773048426","url":"https:\/\/adelaideplantco.com.au\/products\/santolina-chamaecyparissus","provider":"Adelaide Plant Co","version":"1.0","type":"link"}