WESTRINGIA (COASTAL ROSEMARY)
Westringia fruticosa
The tough, reliable native for any Australian garden.
Westringia or Coastal Rosemary makes a striking hedge and topiary plant for both formal native and non native gardens.
Looks great on slopes, in groups, and amongst rocks.
Drought and frost tolerant, they can handle salty winds, making them also ideal for coastal plantings.
Westringia, or Coastal Rosemary, is an incredibly hardy Australian native shrub celebrated for its resilience and neat appearance. It is not a culinary rosemary.
It has fine, grey-green leaves arranged in whorls and produces a profusion of small, delicate white or pale-lilac flowers for most of the year.
We recommend planting in a full sun to partly shaded position in well-drained soil. It is exceptionally tough and adaptable.
It is highly drought-tolerant and resistant to salt spray, making it a perfect choice for coastal gardens and low-maintenance landscapes.
Westringia is a versatile landscaping plant, ideal for hedging, screening, or as a hardy feature shrub.
Its dense growth habit responds very well to clipping and shaping.
Can be pruned into formal balls, squares, or kept as a beautiful informal shrub.
Attracts native bees and other beneficial pollinators to the garden.
PRICE: $6.00
SIZE: 5cm radius seedling
Westringia
Westringia fruticosa
Australian History
Westringia fruticosa is a true Australian native, originating from the coastal cliffs of New South Wales. For decades, it has been a cornerstone of Australian horticulture, celebrated for its ability to withstand challenging conditions like drought and salt-laden winds, making it a landscaper's favourite.
Australian Uses
In Australia, Westringia is used almost exclusively as an ornamental plant. Its resilience and dense foliage make it one of the most popular choices for formal and informal hedging. It's also used widely in mass plantings, for topiary, and in native garden designs that require hardy, reliable shrubs.
Australian Growing Guide
Westringia is exceptionally easy to grow in most of Australia. It thrives in full sun and requires well-drained soil but is adaptable to a range of soil types. Once established it has very low water needs. Prune after flowering to maintain a dense, compact shape, especially if grown as a hedge.
Australian Landscaping
A star performer in Australian landscaping, Westringia is perfect for creating structure in a garden. Use it to form neat, low-to-medium hedges, borders, and screens. Its fine foliage and constant flowering provide year-round interest. It is an excellent choice for poolside, coastal, and water-wise gardens.
Australian Companion Plants
Westringia grows harmoniously with a wide range of other Australian natives. It pairs well with Callistemon (Bottlebrush), Grevillea, Correa (Native Fuchsia), and native grasses like Lomandra and Dianella for a layered, low-maintenance native garden.
Australian Disease Resistance
This plant is famously tough and is rarely troubled by pests or diseases. The only significant issue can be root rot if planted in heavy, waterlogged clay soils. Ensuring good drainage at the time of planting is the key to a long-lived, healthy Westringia.