Santolina rosmarinifolia
| Santolina rosmarinifolia | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Native to: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Santolina rosmarinifolia (common name: holy flax)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Does not require pre-treatment[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out in late spring or early summer of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe side shoots, 5 - 8 cm, July/August in a frame. Roots within 2 weeks. High percentage[2].
Division in spring or autumn[3]. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.
Layering.
Cultivation: Does not require a rich soil and dislikes wet conditions around the roots[4]. Prefers a light sandy soil in full sun[4]. Established plants are drought tolerant[4], growing well in a hot dry soil[5]. Plants grow well in the cracks of a south-facing wall that contains pockets of soil[K].
This species is not very frost tolerant and is only hardy in the milder areas of Britain[6].
This species is often confused in gardens with S. pinnata neopolitanum[7].
There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[8][4].
The flowers smell vile[5].
Tolerates shearing so long as this is not done at times of low resistance (winter?)[4]. Plants can be cut back hard in spring to maintain their form[4].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[4].
Range: S.W. Europe.
Habitat: Sandy stony places and dry rocks from the lowland to the mountains.
Usage: Can be grown as a low formal hedge and used as an edging plant[4]. The plant is very tolerant of shearing[4].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light and medium soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The bruised leaves have been known to cause a severe rash on sensitive skins[9].
Also Known As: S. virens. S. viridis.
Links
References
- ↑ Dirr, Michael and Charles Heuser. The Reference Manual of Woody Plant Propagation. Athens Ga. Varsity Press, 1987.
- ↑ Sheat, Wilfrid. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. St Martin, 1948.
- ↑ Sanders, Thomas. Popular Hardy Perennials. Collingridge, 1926.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chatto, Beth. The Damp Garden. Dent, 1982.
- ↑ Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Shepherd, F. W.. Hedges and Screens. Royal Horticultural Society, 1974.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.