Santolina chamaecyparissus

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Water during dry periods

For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.

Spring - mid · Planting

Prune young growth

Remove most of the young growth that the plant has made in the previous season. Leave just around 2 centimetres of young growth on the plant. Don't cut into old wood unless it is diseased or damaged.

Summer - early · Outdoors

Feed a general fertiliser

Where plants have moderate needs for nutrients, they can simply be given a general feed, fairly early in the growth season so that the growth has plenty of time to harden off before the cold weather.

Give plants a general boost with the application of a general purpose fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plant, with amounts as directed on the feed label.

Outdoor planting · Planting

Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole

Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.

Planting

Deadhead blooms during flowering season

Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.

The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.

Hedges · Planting

Requires frequent clipping

This benefits from frequent clipping in order to keep it tidy. If it becomes woody, it can be regenerated by pruning hard back, to a height some 15-20cm above ground level.

Hedges · Planting

Suitable as a short lived hedge

This makes a short-lived hedge that can become straggly with age, and may need to be replaced after a few years.