Santolina chamaecyparissus --Gray Lavender-Cotton--

Small evergreen Mediterranean shrub growing in mounds to 24" tall and 36" across. Densely covered in aromatic, grey-green leaves, in summer it produces masses of yellow, button-like composite flowerheads, held on slender stems above the foliage. Good as a groundcover or as an edging plant for a hot, sunny, well-drained spot, though it may be shorter-lived in that placement. Once established, plants can tolerate dry and poor soils. Foliage may die back and regrow from roots after hard freezes. In cosmetics it is used as a tonic, has been sometimes used in herbal medicine for wounds, insect bites, menstrual problems, and digestive issues; and it has been used as a natural dye, in potpourris or sachets as a moth repellent, and as the source of an essential oil. Leaves can be used for flavoring broths, sauces and other dishes, though the pungent flavor may be a learned taste!