Forming a compact, bushy mound of evergreen soft silver grey foliage, cotton lavender is ideal for border edges and raised beds, and also makes an excellent dwarf hedge. The leaves are finely divided to give a feathery appearance and are strongly aromatic when bruised. Bright yellow button-like flowers are up to 2 cm across and borne individually on straight, slender stems. The flowers are profuse and highly attractive to bees.

It needs soil that is well drained and doesn’t remain moist, particularly in winter.

Pruning twice during the year is important for Santolina chamaecyparissus, otherwise plants become leggy and flop open to reveal bare, woody stems. In garden conditions, cut back hard in mid-spring, reducing growth by at least half, cutting back to where new shoots are starting to emerge. Then, once flowering has finished, in late summer, take off the dead flower stems as low down as possible, and lightly trim the whole plant at the same time. In poor unimproved soils and full sun, the plant will be more compact and will need less attention.

An aromatic and medicinal plant. Once dry, the foliage and flowers can be used as a moth repellent for clothing.