Gray Santolina
A tough and lovely evergreen sub-shrub for the Mediterranean garden, Gray Santolina has fine textured grey foliage that is amazingly fragrant when the afternoon sun hits it. Native to sunny hillsides in the western and central Mediterranean, Gray Santolina is very drought adapted and adds great color and texture to the Mediterranean border. Has masses of lovely little yellow flowers in late spring that attract pollinators. Mixes well with rosemary, sages, lavender, and phlomis. Has traditionally been used as a medicinal herb and to make a very fragrant essential oil.
Latin Name: Santolina chamaecyparissus
Site and Soil: Full sun and very well-drained soil. Drought tolerant evergreen
Hardiness: Hardy to -10° F.
Size at Maturity: 2′ in height by 3-4′ feet wide.
Bloom Time: late spring long blooming
Pests & Diseases: No pests or diseases that we’ve seen on our plants here in Portland.
USDA Zone: 6-9