Lavender Cotton Santolina pinnata subsp. neapolitana 'Edward Bowles'
ABOUT
'Edward Bowles' is a distinctive, evergreen perennial with finely divided, needle-like leaves that are aromatic when crushed. Its foliage is a soft gray-green color that adds a muted but textured background to garden beds. Throughout the summer, it produces a profusion of button-like, bright yellow flowers that rise slightly above the foliage on sturdy stems. These cheerful blooms stand out against the gray-green leaves and can attract butterflies. The overall appearance of the plant is neat and compact, making it suitable for borders or as a low hedge. It thrives in full sun and prefers well-drained soil, showing drought tolerance once established. The leaves can remain attractive throughout the year, lending the plant to be an excellent choice for year-round interest in the garden.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae
Synonyms
Edward Bowles' Pinnate Santolina, Edward Bowles’ Naples Lavender Cotton
Common names
Santolina pinnata var. neapolitana, Santolina neapolitana.
ToxicityTo humans
The common name of Santolina pinnata subsp. neapolitana 'Edward Bowles' is Lavender Cotton. Lavender Cotton is not generally considered toxic to humans. However, as with any plant, individual allergic reactions or sensitivities could occur. Ingesting large amounts of the plant could potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort or irritation. It is advisable to avoid consuming this ornamental plant.
To pets
The common name of Santolina pinnata subsp. neapolitana 'Edward Bowles' is Lavender Cotton. Lavender Cotton is not typically known to be toxic to pets. However, ingestion of large amounts can potentially lead to mild gastrointestinal upset, such as vomiting or diarrhea, especially in pets with sensitive stomachs. It's always best to keep ornamental plants out of reach of pets to avoid any potential issues.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Evergreen
Color of leaves
Gray-green
Flower color
Yellow
Height
2 feet (0.61 meters)
Spread
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
7
Native area
Mediterranean
Benefits
General Benefits- Aesthetic Appeal: Santolina pinnata subsp. neapolitan 'Edward Bowles', commonly known as Lavender Cotton, offers attractive silver-grey foliage that can accentuate the beauty of a garden.
- Drought Tolerance: Lavender Cotton is highly drought-resistant, making it suitable for xeriscaping and gardens in arid climates.
- Low Maintenance: This plant requires minimal care once established, making it a good option for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance landscape.
- Insect Repellency: The plant's strong scent can naturally repel certain insects, helping to protect nearby plants from pest damage.
- Ground Cover: Lavender Cotton can serve as an efficient ground cover, reducing weed growth and soil erosion due to its dense growth habit.
- Long Blooming Season: With its extended blooming period, it provides a long-lasting display of yellow flowers that can enhance the visual interest of garden spaces.
- Evergreen: As an evergreen plant, Lavender Cotton retains its foliage year-round, providing persistent color and structure in the garden.
- Wildlife Attraction: The flowers of Lavender Cotton may attract beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity in the garden.
- Border Planting: Its compact and rounded shape makes it an excellent choice for borders, edges, and as a structured element in garden design.
- Herb Garden Addition: Though not for culinary use, Lavender Cotton can add textural contrast in herb gardens, due to its unique foliage and habit.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Santolina pinnata subsp. neapolitana 'Edward Bowles', more commonly known as Edward Bowles' santolina, can be used as a natural insect repellent due to its aromatic foliage.
- This plant's dense growth habit offers an ideal backdrop in a mixed shrub border, providing a contrasting texture against other plants.
- Edward Bowles' santolina can be incorporated into a knot garden for structural design, thanks to its easily trimmed and shaped growth.
- The grey-green foliage of the plant is sometimes used in dried flower arrangements, retaining its shape and color well after drying.
- It can be used to create a low, informal edging along walkways or garden beds, where its foliage adds a silvery-green accent to the landscape.
- As the plant is drought-tolerant once established, it can be utilized in xeriscaping, contributing to sustainable and low-water-use gardens.
- Edward Bowles' santolina is suitable for coastal gardens, due to its tolerance of salt and wind, providing ground cover and erosion control.
- Due to its compact nature and evergreen foliage, this plant can be potted in containers for patios or balconies where ground planting isn't an option.
- The plant can be used in sensory gardens, as touching the leaves releases a pleasing aroma that engages the sense of smell.
- Its dense foliage provides shelter for beneficial insects and small wildlife, promoting biodiversity in the garden.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe plant Santolina is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe plant Santolina is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Protection - Santolina, commonly known as Lavender Cotton, has been traditionally used in gardens to ward off insects and pests, symbolizing safety and protection from harm.
- Longevity - With its ability to withstand dry conditions and poor soils, Lavender Cotton represents endurance and the ability to thrive in challenging environments, symbolizing longevity and persistence.
- Purity - The clean, crisp fragrance of Lavender Cotton is often associated with cleanliness and virtue, symbolizing purity and the cleansing of negative energies.
- Health - Historically, Santolina was believed to possess medicinal qualities, so it is often associated with health, healing, and well-being.
- Renewal - Its resilient nature and the way it can bounce back after droughts also associate Lavender Cotton with renewal and the ability to recover from difficulties.
WaterLavender cotton (Santolina pinnata subsp. neapolitana 'Edward Bowles') prefers to be kept on the drier side, meaning it requires watering sparingly. It is best to water deeply and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. On average, during the growing season, this might translate to about 1 gallon per plant every two weeks, depending on the climate and weather conditions. During the winter months, reduce watering to once a month or based on the plant's appearance, ensuring it does not sit in soggy soil.
LightLavender cotton thrives in full sun conditions where it can receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. The ideal spot for this plant would be in an area of your garden that is exposed to full unfiltered sunlight for most of the day, which encourages healthy growth and flowering.
TemperatureLavender cotton is a hardy plant that can endure temperatures as low as 10°F and as high as 100°F. However, the ideal temperature range for this plant is between 50°F and 80°F. Prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing can harm the plant, so consider providing some protection if extreme cold is expected.
PruningPruning lavender cotton helps maintain its shape and encourages dense, bushy growth. Prune in early spring by cutting back the plant by about one-third to one-half of its size to remove any dead or spindly stems and to promote new growth. Pruning is also recommended after flowering to deadhead the spent blooms and keep the plant looking tidy.
CleaningAs needed
SoilLavender Cotton (Santolina pinnata 'Edward Bowles') thrives in well-draining, moderately fertile soil with added organic matter like compost. A soil pH of 6.5 to 7.5 is ideal, keeping it neutral to slightly alkaline. Sand or grit can be incorporated to improve drainage, important for preventing root rot in this drought-tolerant Mediterranean herb.
RepottingLavender Cotton does not require frequent repotting and can be done every two to three years or as needed when it becomes root-bound. It's important to ensure that any new pot has good drainage and to refresh the soil mix to maintain health and vigor.
Humidity & MistingLavender Cotton prefers low to moderate humidity levels, reflecting its Mediterranean origin. It is tolerant of dry air and does not require high humidity to thrive, making it well-suited to typical indoor environments.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place in a sunny spot with good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, well-draining soil, shelter from harsh winds.
Hardiness zone
6-9 USDA
Life cycle'Edward Bowles' Santolina, also known as Lavender Cotton, typically begins its life cycle with seed germination in spring, when temperatures are mild and conditions are favorable for growth. Following germination, it enters a vegetative stage, developing a rosette of finely dissected, aromatic leaves and a deep root system. As the plant matures, usually within the first or second year, it begins to produce flowering stems in early to mid-summer, showcasing clusters of small, bright yellow flowers that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers will develop into seed heads, and as the plant completes its seasonal growth, it may go dormant in winter, particularly in cooler climates. In subsequent years, 'Edward Bowles' Santolina resumes growth from the base, continuing to produce both vegetative and reproductive structures as a perennial shrub in its preferred hardiness zones. Pruning and deadheading can encourage bushier growth and the production of more flowers in the next growing season.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
Propogation: Santolina pinnata subsp. neapolitana 'Edward Bowles', commonly known as Lavender Cotton, can be propagated predominantly by semi-hardwood cuttings. This method is best carried out during the summer months when the plant's growth is most active. To propagate Lavender Cotton by cuttings, one would cut a 4 to 6-inch (10 to 15 cm) length of semi-hardwood stem that has matured slightly but is not fully woody. You would then strip the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and dip the cut end into rooting hormone to aid in root development. The prepared cutting should be inserted into a pot filled with a mixture of peat and perlite or sand to ensure good drainage. The pot must be kept in a warm, well-lit area but out of direct sunlight and the soil should be kept moist but not soggy to encourage rooting. Roots typically begin to form within a few weeks, after which the new Lavender Cotton plants can be transferred to individual pots or planted directly into the garden.
