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Santolina chamaecyparissus
  • Cotton Lavender

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Santolina genus in the family Compositae.

248px
Niche
  • Soil surface
    Soil surface
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • Ground cover
    Ground cover
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline,very alkaline
    Acid to Very alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Santolina chamaecyparissus has 0 edible uses listed
Santolina chamaecyparissus has 0 material uses listed
Santolina chamaecyparissus has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The bruised leaves have been known to cause a severe rash on sensitive skins[1].

Edible uses

Notes

The aromatic leaves are used as a flavouring for broths, sauces, grain dishes etc[2][3].

Unknown part

Condiment

Material uses

Plants can be grown as a low formal hedge and used as an edging plant[4]. The plant is very tolerant of shearing[4]. In less exposed areas the plants can be trimmed in the autumn, otherwise they need to be cut by early April if they are to be allowed to flower[5].

Plants can also be grown for ground cover[6]. They are best spaced about 60cm apart each way[7]. The leaves are strewn amongst clothes to repel moths etc[8][2][9][10][11]. The growing plant repels various insect pests, especially cabbage moths[12]. The dried leaves are used in pot-pourri[13].

An essential oil from the leaves is used in perfumery[8], the oil is also obtained from the flowers[14].

Unknown part

Dye
Essential
Pot-pourri
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The leaves and flowering tops are antispasmodic, disinfectant, emmenagogue, stimulant and vermifuge[8][15][16][12]. Cotton lavender is rarely used medicinally[13], though it is sometimes used internally as a vermifuge for children and to treat poor digestion and menstrual problems[8][13]. When finely ground and applied to insect stings or bites, the plant will immediately ease the pain[15]. Applied to surface wounds, it will hasten the healing process by encouraging the formation of scar tissue[15]. The leaves and flowering stems are harvested in the summer and dried for later use[13].

Unknown part

Antispasmodic
Disinfectant
Emmenagogue
Stings
Vermifuge

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Soil surface

Ecological Functions

Ground cover


Hedge

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Does not require pre-treatment[17]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.

Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, 5 - 8 cm long with a heel, July/August in a frame. Roots within 2 weeks. High percentage[18]. The heeled cuttings can also be placed direct into the open garden in early July and should be well-rooted by the winter[5]. Division in spring or autumn[19]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Layering.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Santolina chamaecyparissus. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easy and undemanding plant that does not require a rich soil, though it strongly dislikes wet conditions around the roots[20][16][2][4]. Prefers a light sandy fairly poor soil on a sunny slope[4]. Prefers a chalky soil[6]. Established plants are drought tolerant[6]. They succeed in a hot dry position[6].

Hardy to about -15°c when in a well-drained soil. A very wind hardy plant, it succeeds on the top of Cornish dry-stone walls[21]. A very ornamental plant[20], there are several named varieties[5]. Cotton lavender tolerates shearing so long as this is not done at times of low resistance (winter?)[4]. Plants can be cut back hard in spring to maintain their form[4][7], though this will prevent them flowering[7]. A good companion plant for roses[12]. Flowers are produced on two year old wood[1]. The leaves are very aromatic[6]. The bruised leaves are pleasantly pungent, though the flowers have an unpleasant smell[5]. The form S. chamaecyparissus nana has a more pungent aroma than the type[5].

Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Santolina chamaecyparissus. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Santolina chamaecyparissus.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Santolina chamaecyparissus
Genus
Santolina
Family
Compositae
Imported References
Edible uses
[2][3]
Medicinal uses
[8][15][16][12][13]
Material uses & Functions
[4][5][6][7][8][2][9][10][11][12][13][14]
Botanic
[16][11][4]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Ground cover, Hedge
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Drought
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Soil surface
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
evergreen
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
?
Mature Size
0.6 x 1 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Insects
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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"image:Santolina chamaecyparissus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Santolina chamaecyparissus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Santolina chamaecyparissus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Santolina chamaecyparissus2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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References

  1. ? 1.01.1 Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray ISBN 0-7195-5043-2 (1992-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.22.32.4 Bryan. J. and Castle. C. Edible Ornamental Garden. Pitman Publishing ISBN 0-273-00098-5 (1976-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.24.34.44.54.64.74.8 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.5 Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.36.46.5 Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent ISBN 0460045512 (1982-00-00)
  7. ? 7.07.17.27.3 Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons ISBN 0-460-12609-1 (1990-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.2 Polunin. O. Flowers of Europe - A Field Guide. Oxford University Press ISBN 0192176218 (1969-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.212.312.4 Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (1993-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.213.313.413.5 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.1 Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. ISBN 0-02-544950-8 (1974-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.215.3 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  16. ? 16.016.116.216.3 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  17. ? Dirr. M. A. and Heuser. M. W. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press ISBN 0942375009 (1987-00-00)
  18. ? Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  19. ? Sanders. T. W. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge (1926-00-00)
  20. ? 20.020.1 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  21. ? Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties. ()

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Facts about "Santolina chamaecyparissus"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familyCompositae +
Belongs to genusSantolina +
Functions asGround cover + and Hedge +
Has common nameCotton Lavender +
Has drought toleranceTolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part +
Has edible useSeasoning +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure +, High wind + and Drought +
Has fertility typeInsects +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has hardiness zone7 +
Has imageSantolina chamaecyparissus2.jpg +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has material partUnknown part +
Has material useDye +, Essential +, Pot-pourri + and Repellent +
Has mature height0.6 +
Has mature width1 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAntispasmodic +, Disinfectant +, Emmenagogue +, Stings + and Vermifuge +
Has primary imageSantolina chamaecyparissus2.jpg +
Has search namesantolina chamaecyparissus + and x +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral +, Alkaline + and Very alkaline +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameSantolina chamaecyparissus +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheSoil surface +
Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +