Santolina virens
Common name: 
Green Lavender Cotton
Green Santolina
Pronunciation: 
san-to-LEEN-a VI-rens
Family: 
Asteraceae
Genus: 
Santolina
Synonyms: 
Santolina rosmarinifolia
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Herbaceous evergreen shrublet, 1-2 ft (30-60 cm) high, greater width, thick, spreading mound, billowy, fine texture.  Leaves alternate, pinnately compound, very narrow (0.6-1.2 mm), 2-4 cm long, emerald green (virens = green), highly aromatic.  Flowers button-like, yellow, solitary, 13 mm wide, rise above the foliage on 15-25 cm stalks, bloom in June, showy.  Fruit a brown pod, 13 mm.
  • Sun, tolerant of any well-drained soil.  Becomes loose and open if frequently watered.  Can be sheared.  Flowers heads turn brown and should be removed after bloom.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone 7      Native to southern Europe, cultivated since 1727.
Click image to enlarge
  • plant habit, summer flowering

    plant habit, summer flowering

  • plant habit, spring

    plant habit, spring

  • branchlets, spring

    branchlets, spring