High Quality Santolina Plants For Sale

New Zealand’s Best Cotton-Lavender Plants

Growing colourful shrubs in your garden delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space
• They attract birds and bees
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come

We have the largest variety of Cotton Lavender plants and the right one for your space. Our Santolina plants have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We grow and stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Santolina, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Common questions about growing Santolina

1. What goes well with santolina?

Santolina is a versatile plant that can be paired with a variety of complementary plants in your garden or container arrangements. Here are some suggestions for plants that go well with santolina:

• Other Mediterranean herbs: Santolina's silvery-green foliage harmonizes well with other Mediterranean herbs like lavender, rosemary, thyme, and oregano. These plants share similar growing requirements and add a touch of fragrance and texture to the garden.
• Lavender: The combination of santolina's silvery foliage and lavender's purple flowers creates a stunning contrast in color and texture. Both plants are drought-tolerant and require well-drained soil, making them ideal companions.
• Rosemary: Rosemary's needle-like foliage complements santolina's fine, textured leaves. Both plants share a similar upright growth habit and add a touch of evergreen interest to the garden.
• Thyme: Thyme's creeping groundcover habit can be interspersed with santolina's low-growing mounds, creating a dynamic and visually appealing contrast. Both plants are drought-tolerant and enjoy well-drained soil.
• Oregano: Oregano's slightly larger leaves and cheerful purple flowers provide a nice contrast to santolina's silvery foliage. Both plants are drought-tolerant and require well-drained soil.

In addition to these herbs, santolina can also be paired with other flowering plants, such as:

• Nepeta: Nepeta's blue flowers complement santolina's silvery foliage and create a cheerful contrast in color. Both plants are drought-tolerant and enjoy well-drained soil.
• Gaura: Gaura's delicate white or pink flowers add a touch of elegance to santolina's low-growing mounds. Both plants enjoy full sun and well-drained soil.
• Perovskia: Perovskia's airy spikes of lavender-blue flowers complement santolina's silvery foliage and create a striking visual contrast. Both plants enjoy full sun and well-drained soil.
• Heliopsis: Heliopsis's large, daisy-like flowers add a cheerful pop of color to santolina's silvery foliage. Both plants enjoy full sun and well-drained soil.
• Rudbeckia: Rudbeckia's bright yellow flowers provide a sunny contrast to santolina's silvery foliage. Both plants enjoy full sun and well-drained soil.

When choosing plants to pair with santolina, consider the overall style and color scheme of your garden or container arrangement. Santolina's versatility allows it to blend seamlessly with a variety of planting styles, from formal to informal.

2. What is the herb santolina used for?

Santolina, also known as lavender cotton or green santolina, is a versatile herb with a variety of uses. It is native to the Mediterranean region and has been used for centuries for its culinary, medicinal, and ornamental properties. Here are some of the specific uses of santolina:

Culinary Uses:

• Flavouring: The leaves of santolina have a slightly peppery, camphoraceous flavour that can be used to flavour soups, stews, broths, and sauces. It is also sometimes used in meat dishes and grain dishes.
• Dried herbs: The leaves and flowers of santolina can be dried and used later for culinary purposes. Dried santolina leaves add a subtle flavour to dishes, while dried santolina flowers can be used to make herbal tea.
• Potpourri: The dried leaves and flowers of santolina can be used to make potpourri, adding a fragrant and aromatic touch to sachets and decorative bowls.

Medicinal Uses:

• Antispasmodic: Santolina has been traditionally used as an antispasmodic to relieve muscle cramps and digestive issues.
• Disinfectant: Santolina's antibacterial and antifungal properties have made it a traditional remedy for treating wounds, skin infections, and insect bites.
• Stimulant: Santolina has been used as a stimulant to improve circulation, enhance alertness, and boost energy levels.
• Vermifuge: Some traditional herbalists use santolina as a vermifuge to expel parasitic worms from the intestines.

Ornamental Uses:

• Garden borders: Santolina's low-growing, compact form makes it an excellent choice for edging garden borders and pathways.
• Rock gardens: Santolina's drought-tolerance and ability to thrive in well-drained soils make it a suitable choice for rock gardens and xeriscapes.
• Containers: Santolina can be successfully grown in containers, adding a touch of silvery-green foliage and yellow flowers to patios, balconies, and entryways.
• Dried flower arrangements: The dried flowers of santolina retain their color and shape well, making them a popular addition to dried flower arrangements and wreaths.
• Moth repellent: Santolina's strong fragrance is a natural deterrent to moths, making it a useful addition to closets and storage areas.

3. How do you maintain santolina?

Santolina, also known as lavender cotton, is a low-maintenance shrub that thrives in Mediterranean climates and well-drained soil. It is known for its silvery-green foliage and small, button-like yellow flowers. Here's a guide on how to maintain santolina:

• Watering: Santolina is drought-tolerant and does not require frequent watering. Once established, it can survive on occasional rainfall. Water deeply and infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot.
• Pruning: Santolina benefits from light pruning in the late winter or early spring to maintain its shape and encourage new growth. Cut back the stems by about one-third to promote bushier growth. Deadhead spent flowers throughout the growing season to extend blooming.
• Soil: Santolina prefers well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. If your soil is heavy or clay-based, amend it with sand or compost to improve drainage.
• Fertilizing: Santolina is not a heavy feeder and does not require heavy fertilization. A light application of a balanced fertilizer in the spring is usually sufficient.
• Pests and Diseases: Santolina is generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, it can be susceptible to scale insects and fungal diseases if grown in overly moist conditions.
• Winter Care: In colder regions, it may require some winter protection. Apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to protect the roots from freezing.
• Container Care: Santolina can be successfully grown in containers. Use a well-draining potting mix and water regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

With proper care and attention, santolina will reward you with years of beautiful foliage and amazing flowers.

4. What is the common name for santolina?

Santolina is commonly known as lavender cotton, green santolina, or cotton lavender. These names all allude to the plant's silvery-green foliage and small, button-like yellow flowers. The name "lavender cotton" is particularly fitting, as the plant's leaves resemble those of lavender, but with a softer, cotton-like texture. The name "green santolina" simply emphasizes the plant's vibrant green foliage.

5. What does santolina smell like?

Santolina has a distinctive aroma that is often described as pungent, camphor-like, or resinous. Some people also detect a hint of citrus, mint, or hay in the scent. The strong fragrance is due to the presence of essential oils in the plant's leaves and flowers.

6. Can you prune santolina?

Yes, you can and should prune santolina to maintain its shape, encourage new growth, and prevent it from becoming leggy or overgrown. Pruning also helps keep the plant healthy and prevents dead or diseased wood from accumulating.

Here are some general guidelines for pruning santolina:

• Time of year: Prune santolina in the late winter or early spring, before new growth begins. This will give the plant time to recover from pruning and produce new foliage and flowers in the spring.
• Amount of pruning: Cut back the stems by about one-third to one-half their length. This will encourage bushier growth and keep the plant compact.
• Pruning technique: Use sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts just above a node, which is the point where a new leaf or stem grows from the main stem.
• Deadheading: Deadhead spent flowers throughout the growing season to extend blooming and encourage new flower production.
• Shaping: Prune santolina to maintain its desired shape. You can create a rounded shape, a hedge-like form, or a more informal, natural look.

7. How tall do green santolina get?

Santolina chamaecyparissus, typically grows to a height of 6-12 inches (15-30 cm). However, it can sometimes reach up to 18 inches (45 cm) in height under optimal conditions. The plant has a compact, rounded growth habit and produces a dense mass of small, silvery-green leaves. The leaves are aromatic and have a pungent, slightly camphor-like scent.

Here are some factors that can affect the height of green santolina:

• Soil: Green santolina prefers well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. If the soil is too heavy or clay-based, the plant may not reach its full height.
• Water: Green santolina is drought-tolerant but does not like to be overwatered. Overwatering can lead to root rot, which can stunt the plant's growth.
• Sunlight: Green santolina prefers full sun to partial shade. If the plant does not receive enough sunlight, it may not grow as tall as it could.
• Pruning: Regular pruning can help to control the height of green santolina. If you want to keep the plant compact, you can prune it back every spring.

In general, green santolina is a relatively low-growing shrub that is well-suited for edging garden borders, planting in rock gardens, or growing in containers. Its silvery-green foliage and cheerful yellow flowers make it an attractive and versatile addition to any garden.