Santolina is sometimes known as Lavender Cotton. An essential cottage garden plant. Foliage can be green or grey. Traditional European folk use of the leaves as an insecticide and disinfectant. A companion plant. Santolina is a native of Europe and Arabia and prefers light, well drained soils in an open, sunny position. Flowers are bright yellow, button like, and appear in summer. Drought and frost resistant. A deciduous shrub, growing to 1m x 1m.