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Common Name: Holy Flax

General Information

Santolina rosmarinifolia is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 0.50 metres tall.
The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental, where it can be used to make a hedge

Known Hazards

The bruised leaves have been known to cause a severe rash on sensitive skins[].

Botanical References

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Range

S.W. Europe.

Habitat

Sandy stony places and dry rocks from the lowland to the mountains.

Properties

Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Does not require a rich soil and dislikes wet conditions around the roots[]. Prefers a light sandy soil in full sun[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[], growing well in a hot dry soil[]. Plants grow well in the cracks of a south-facing wall that contains pockets of soil[].
This species is not very frost tolerant and is only hardy in the milder areas of Britain[].
This species is often confused in gardens with S. pinnata neopolitanum[].
There are some named forms, selected for their ornamental value[, ].
The flowers smell vile[].
Tolerates shearing so long as this is not done at times of low resistance (winter?)[]. Plants can be cut back hard in spring to maintain their form[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Can be grown as a low formal hedge and used as an edging plant[]. The plant is very tolerant of shearing[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Does not require pre-treatment[]. 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, mid summer in a frame. Roots within 2 weeks. High percentage[].
Division in spring or autumn[]. 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.