Santolina

The Santolina, also known as southernwood or cypress, is the perfect choice. This little wonder of nature will captivate you with its silvery foliage and button-like yellow flowers.

Characteristics of Santolina

Santolina (Santolina chamaecyparissus) is a perennial subshrub belonging to the Asteraceae family. Native to the Mediterranean regions, it has become a very popular ornamental plant worldwide.

• Foliage: Its leaves are small, narrow, and grayish-green, giving it a very attractive silvery appearance. They also give off an intense aroma reminiscent of chamomile.
• Flowers: During spring and summer, the Santolina is covered in small, golden-yellow flower heads, which contrast spectacularly with the silvery foliage.
• Size: Its height usually ranges between 20 and 70 centimeters, making it an ideal plant for rock gardens, borders and small gardens.

Benefits of growing Santolina

• Repellent properties: The intense aroma of Santolina acts as a natural insect repellent, such as mosquitoes and moths, making it an excellent choice for growing in gardens and terraces.
• Medicinal use: Traditionally, Santolina has been used for its medicinal properties, such as digestive, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic.
• Low maintenance: This plant is very resistant to drought and high temperatures, so it requires little care. It also tolerates pruning well, allowing it to be kept compact and with a defined shape.

Santolina Care

• Location: Santolina prefers sunny places protected from the wind.
• Soil: It adapts to all types of soil, although it prefers well-drained soils that are poor in nutrients.
• Watering: It needs moderate watering, always waiting for the soil to dry between waterings.
• Pruning: It is recommended to prune Santolina after flowering to encourage the growth of new shoots and maintain a compact appearance.

Uses in gardening

Santolina is a very versatile plant that can be used in different types of gardens:

• Rock gardens: Thanks to its compact size and drought resistance, it is ideal for creating rock garden compositions alongside other Mediterranean plants.
• Borders: Used to create low and formal borders, delimiting different areas of the garden.
• Mass plantings: It can be part of mixed mass plantings, combining it with other plants of different colors and textures.
• Aromatic gardens: Its intense aroma makes it an essential plant in aromatic gardens.