Santolinas are belonging to Asteraceae (Daisy) family; there are about 18 species of plant in this genus. All are natives of Western Europe and Mediterranean area. They are small, evergreen shrubs growing 10–60 cm tall. The leaves are simple and minute in some species, or pinnate, finely divided in other species, often densely silvery hairy, and usually aromatic. The composite flower heads are globate, yellow or white, they stay above the foliage.

Santolina chamaecyparissus (Gray Santolina) and Santolina rosmarinifolia (Green Santolina) are well known ones in Turkiye. The leaves of Santolina rosmarinifolia are bright green, while Santolina chamaecyparissus are silvery gray.

Green and Gray Santolinas are evergreen shrubs, they can reach 40 to 50 cm tall and spread out 100-150 cm to form a mounding groundcover. Divided, linear leaves are about 3-4 cm long and only 1-2 mm wide. Leaves with finely toothed edges are tightly massed on the stem giving plants a feathery appearance.

Santolina chamaecyparissus (Gray Santolina, Grey Lavender Cotton) is a small evergreen shrub growing to 40 cm tall and 150 cm wide. Densely covered in narrow, aromatic, grey-green leaves, in summer it produces masses of yellow, button-like composite flower heads, held on slender stems above the foliage. The specific epithet chamaecyparissus literally means “like Chamaecyparis (cypress)”.

Santolina rosmarinifolia, (Green Santolina, Green Lavender Cotton) is native to south Western Europe. It is a dense, compact evergreen shrub growing to 50 cm tall and 100 cm wide, with narrow, aromatic, green leaves and tight yellow composite flower heads carried on slender stalks above the foliage, in summer. The specific epithet rosmarinifolia describes the leaves “resemblance to those of rosemary”.

Santolina prefers full sun, well-drained, sandy, calcareous or alkaline soil, and tolerates poor soil. Once established, very little supplemental water is needed, and plants may even rot if kept too damp. Plants withstand down to -18°C. Propagation of Santolina is done by seeds or by cuttings at middle of the summer.

After a few years, Santolina tends to split open in the centre. This condition may discouraged by pruning them, in early spring before new growth begins. Such shearing will rejuvenate the plant. Despite efforts to keep the plants in the garden over long periods of time, if they become leggy and open centred, there is no way apart from to replace them with fresh young plants. Numerous cultivars have been produced of these two species and used in gardening.

Use in Landscape: Both Santolinas are excellent landscape specimens. They are used as attractive, undemanding landscape plants that are easy to care for and have few pests. They are valued in cultivation as groundcover, or as an edging plant for hot, sunny, well-drained situations. The silver foliage of Santolina chamaecyparissus makes a nice contrast to other green tones of the garden and persists through the winter. Santolinas are nice in a mixed perennial border along with rockroses. They also are good specimen plants for xeriscapes and mixes well with other Mediterranean herbs such as lavender, rosemary, thyme, sage and oregano. They can be trained into a low hedge.

Uses: Cotton lavender has many potential uses. An oil extracted from plants used in perfumery. Branches may be hung up in wardrobes to repel insects. Leaves are also suitable for use in potpourri and in herbal tobacco substitutes. A decoction can be made from the flowers and leaves that is said to expel intestinal parasites. Leaves rubbed on insect bites reputedly relieve the pain of the sting. The yellow flowers can be boiled to make a bright yellow dye.