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Santolina rosmarinifolia (Holy flax)
1 hour care
per year
per year
0.6m
Max height
Max height
1m
Max spread
Max spread
5-10 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Santolina rosmarinifolia
Other names
Holy flax, Lavender cotton, Green lavender cotton
Genus
Santolina Santolina
Species
S. rosmarinifolia - S. rosmarinifolia is a dense, rounded, bushy, evergreen shrub with finely divided, aromatic, bright green leaves and bright yellow flower heads in summer.
Santolina rosmarinifolia is: Evergreen
Fragrance
Foliage is aromatic.
Habit
Rounded, Compact
Toxicity
Crushed leaves may cause severe skin reaction.
Flower
Bright-yellow in Summer
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 10. Trim after flowering to maintain a compact, bushy habit.
Propagation methods
Semi-ripe cuttings, Seed
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Where to grow
Santolina rosmarinifolia (Holy flax) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Beds and borders, Gravel, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Containers, Ground Cover, Rock
Cultivation
Grow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Thrives in hot climates. Tends to be short-lived. Drought tolerant once established. Suitable for growing in the cracks of walls containing pockets of soil.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Santolina rosmarinifolia
Other names
Holy flax, Lavender cotton, Green lavender cotton
Genus
Santolina Santolina
Species
S. rosmarinifolia - S. rosmarinifolia is a dense, rounded, bushy, evergreen shrub with finely divided, aromatic, bright green leaves and bright yellow flower heads in summer.
Foliage
Evergreen
Fragrance
Foliage is aromatic.
Habit
Rounded, Compact
Toxicity
Crushed leaves may cause severe skin reaction.
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Colour
Flower
Bright-yellow in Summer
Foliage
Bright-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Generally pest free.
Diseases
Generally disease free.
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 10. Trim after flowering to maintain a compact, bushy habit.
Propagation methods
Semi-ripe cuttings, Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Santolina rosmarinifolia (Holy flax) will reach a height of 0.6m and a spread of 1m after 5-10 years.
Suggested uses
Cottage/Informal, Drought Tolerant, Beds and borders, Gravel, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Mediterranean, Containers, Ground Cover, Rock
Cultivation
Grow in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. Thrives in hot climates. Tends to be short-lived. Drought tolerant once established. Suitable for growing in the cracks of walls containing pockets of soil.
Soil type
Chalky, Loamy, Sandy
Soil drainage
Well-drained, Moist but well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Loamy, Sandy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained, Moist but well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
ARTICLES WITH THIS PLANT
By garden designer Tom Massey. The Lemon Tree Trust, a UK and US-based not-for-profit organisation, has been working in the refugee camps of Kurdistan in Northern Iraq since 2015. This summer it… read more
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