Lavender Cotton Taken at Dunbar on 6th August  2017 using Panasonic Lumix LX5 in macro mode. Lavender Cotton. Species: Order: Family: Habit: Santolina chamaecyparissus. Asterales. Asteraceae. Evergreen Shrub. Habitat: Height: Feature: Uses: Grown as groundcover, or as an edging plant for a hot, sunny, well-drained spot, though it may be short-lived. It dislikes winter wetness. Up to 50 cms. Not related to either cotton or lavender, despite its common name. The flowers and leaves are made into a decoction used to expel intestinal parasites. An oil used in perfumery can also be extracted from the plant. Branches may be hung up in wardrobes to repel insects, and leaves are also suitable for use in pot pourri and in herbal tobacco substitutes.