Santolina rosmarinifolia

ROSEMARY COTTON LAVENDER

Santolina rosmarinifolia
ROSEMARY COTTON LAVENDER

Santolina rosmarinifolia is tough, hardy, easy to grow, useful, aromatic and just downright pretty.
So unless you live in a bog, there is no excuse not to grow it.

Pretty & aromatic small shrub

Santolina rosmarinifolia is commonly known as Rosemary Cotton Lavender because the aromatic, fine leaves bear a resemblance to those of Rosemary.
But the flowers are also very showy, with primrose yellow buttons during summer.
Displaying very prettily against the deep, emerald green fine foliage.

Scented foliage

The aroma of sun-drenched Santolina rosmarinifolia foliage is one of the delights of summer.
It is fresh, spicy and herby.
So the fresh or dried leaves and stems are used to make moth repelling sachets, ward off insects, treat insect bites, and create refreshingly scented pot-pourris.
And more recently have also been used as a cooking herb to give a hint of olive flavour.

Tough and easy to grow (unless you live in a bog)

Santolina rosmarinifolia basks in sun, heat, dry and poor soil.
So it has long been used in gardens with limited water; seaside gardens; windy places and with sandy or poor soils.
It is particularly drought and heat hardy, and in fact deeply resents waterlogging or generous feed and watering.

Bullet-proof plant

Rosemary Cotton Lavender is also toughly frost hardy, and confidently able to shrug off hard frosts to well below -10C (once established of course and depending on conditions).
So it has long been renowned as a bullet-proof plant.

Untroubled by pests & diseases – including rabbits and deer

Nothing seems to trouble Santolina rosmarinifolia, providing it is given very well drained soil and plenty of sun and air.
Rabbits and deer also find the aromatic oils in the plant unpalatable and tend to leave it well alone.

Perfect in a pot or as a hedge

Santolina rosmarinifolia has long had a reputation as an insect repelling and useful companion plant.
So it is traditionally used in pots near the back door or the BBQ, and clipped into low hedges in the veggie and flower gardens.
It takes the shears extremely well, and looks great clipped into balls, shapes or hedges.

Low care & easy maintenance

Santolina rosmarinifolia can usually be just left to get on with it unless you wish to hedge / topiary it.
However a severe haircut after blooming will shape it up for the following season and prevent it from flopping.

Evergreen small shrub.
Approx. 60cm High in flower – 60cm. Wide of aromatic foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suits beginners & gardening with kids

Sow seeds for Santolina rosmerinifolia any time indoors in punnets / or scatter directly in garden in autumn and spring.

Sow indoors for early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.

Then gently pat the surface of the mix to ensure the seeds have good contact with the mix.
And barely cover the seeds with a thin scattering of sieved mix or vermiculite.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the mix by standing the sown punnet in a shallow water bath and allowing the water to percolate through below, until the surface is moist.

Place the punnet in a warm, well lit position (not in any direct sunlight).

Seeds enjoy warmth

Temperatures of 18-21C are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a heat mat to maintain temperature if you have one, but it is not essential.
A sheltered window sill or warm corner is fine.

Then continue to keep consistently moist by misting from a spray water bottle as required, but not waterlogged.
Covering the punnet with a clear plastic cover will help maintain consistent moisture and prevent drying out.
Remove the cover as soon as sprouting commences, as these seedlings prefer to be a little drier than usual seedlings without too much humidity.

Seedlings may begin emerging as soon as 10 days, but normally 14-28 days.
But patience – do not be too hasty to discard the punnet, as it is normal for these seeds to stagger germination. This is a natural protective trick for the plant to give the baby offspring a sporting chance of sprouting into favourable conditions.

Seed count: 120 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the seed count and give a generous serve).

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