Photograph by Barbara Bell.
As well as a refreshing fragrance, the pretty gray foliage of cotton lavender (Santolina chamaecyparissus) provides a pleasing contrast to the leaves of other evergreen herbs used as topiary subjects, such as bay laurel and myrtle.
Note: Potted herbs and bulbs are currently on display in Cuxa Cloister, which is glassed-in from mid-October through mid-April.