About Santolina chamaecyparissus L.
Santolina chamaecyparissus L. is a small evergreen shrub that reaches 50 cm (20 in) in both height and width. It is densely covered in aromatic, grey-green leaves. In summer, it produces masses of yellow, button-like composite flowerheads that grow on slender stems above the existing foliage. These flowerheads contain only tubular disc florets, with no ray florets present.
In cultivation, this plant is valued for use as groundcover or as an edging plant, suited to hot, sunny, well-drained locations. Despite this, the plant may be short-lived. Once it is fully established, it can tolerate both dry conditions and poor-quality soils. Its compact shape can be preserved by cutting the plant back each spring. Numerous cultivars have been developed: 'Nana', a dwarf cultivar that only grows to 25 cm (10 in), has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.
For uses, it is added to cosmetics as a tonic, and it works as an effective fumigant.
