Shrubs

Santolina chamaecyparissus

Gray lavender cotton

Gray lavender cotton. Representative plant

Aromatic silver-gray leaves form a low, rounded shrub topped with yellow button flowers in summer. Its fine texture works along sunny paths, rock gardens and dry borders. Avoid rich, wet conditions, and trim regularly to discourage an open, woody center.

At a glance

Sun: Full sun
Mature size: 1–2 ft. tall × 2–3 ft. wide
Water: Dry, sharply drained soil
Hardiness: USDA zones 6–9
Bloom: Yellow buttons; summer

Sizes & prices

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Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.

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Resistance & tolerances

Drought: Tolerant.
Salt: Highly tolerant.

Seasonal interest

Foliage: Evergreen.

Growing & care

Pruning: Prune after flowering and remove spent flower stems.

Sources & photo credits

NC State Extension

Photo: Herbolario Allium · CC BY 2.0

Image notes: Gray lavender cotton. Representative plant; resized and re-encoded, not cropped.

Reviewed September 21, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.