Santolina chamaecyparissus 'Lemon Queen'

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Key characteristics

Family: Asteraceae
Height: 1 to 2 feet
Width: 2 to 3 feet
Flower color: Pale yellow, button-like blooms
Foliage color: Gray-green with a fine, feathery texture
Bloom time: Summer
Light: Full sun
Water: Low
Maintenance: Low; prune back after flowering to maintain shape and encourage new growth
Growing zone: USDA Zones 6 to 9
Wildlife: Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

Shrubs

Santolina chamaecyparissus 'Lemon Queen'

Lemon Queen Lavender Cotton

Santolina chamaecyparissus 'Lemon Queen' is a compact, evergreen shrub celebrated for its finely textured, aromatic foliage and cheerful yellow blooms. The soft, silvery-green leaves provide year-round interest, while the plant bursts into flower during the summer months. The rounded, button-like flowers, in a pale lemon-yellow shade, appear from late spring through midsummer, creating a delightful contrast with the foliage.

Originating in the Mediterranean region, Santolina chamaecyparissus 'Lemon Queen' is well-suited to warm, sunny climates.

Light

Full sun

Water

Low

Bloom time

Summer

Find this plant

Works well in

Sun Gardens
Mediterranean Gardens
Waterwise Gardens
Rock Gardens

Companion plants

Salvias · Bottlebrush · Blazing star · Maiden grass · Candytuft · Daisy bush

Design tip

Repeat ‘Lemon Queen’ along a sunny path or low border to create a soft rhythm of silvery foliage punctuated by pale yellow flowers in summer. Its compact, rounded form gives the repetition enough structure to feel intentional without becoming overly formal.