Westringia

Westringia Fruticosa – Best Plants In NZ!

Growing colourful shrubs in your garden such as Westringia fruticosa (Coastal Rosemary) delivers a vast range of benefits:

• They are visual plants that add impact to a space.
• They attract birds and bees.
• Street appeal can be greatly enhanced.
• Children can learn the plants and become more involved with nature.
• These plants will bring you pleasure for many years to come.

We have the largest variety of Coastal Rosemary, including Westringia Wynyabbie Gem, Westringia Mundi, and the right one for your space. Our plants have been selected to thrive in NZ’s climate. We grow and stock only the highest quality plants, sourcing them locally, and from NZ’s leading nurseries. Each plant is packed and transported with extreme care, ensuring it arrives to you in the same condition it was in when it left the nursery. If you are wanting to buy Westringia, shop with confidence from the best in the industry.

Westringia Questions

1. What are the requirements for Westringia?

Westringia, a genus of flowering shrubs native to Australia, is known for its attractive foliage, long-lasting blooms, and adaptability to various growing conditions. They do need a few things to grow successfully:

1. Westringia thrives in full sun to partial shade. They prefer at least six hours of direct sunlight per day to promote healthy growth and abundant flowering. However, they can tolerate some shade, especially in hotter climates, but too much shade will reduce their flowering potential.
2. Well-drained soil is crucial for Westringia to prevent root rot. Heavy clay soils may require the addition of sand to improve drainage. Just as important, overwatering can also lead to root rot, so ensure the soil drains effectively but retains sufficient moisture.
3. Westringia is relatively adaptable to different soil pH levels, tolerating slightly acidic to neutral conditions (pH range of 5.5 to 7.5).
4. Westringia prefer moist soil but can tolerate occasional periods of drought once they are established. Regular watering, especially during hot, dry periods, is essential to maintain healthy growth and flowering.
5. While Westringia is generally low-maintenance and requires minimal pruning, occasional shaping can help maintain their desired form and promote bushier growth. Prune lightly after flowering to encourage new growth and maintain a compact shape.
6. Westringia don't require heavy doses of fertiliser, but a light dressing with a balanced fertilizer in spring can provide a boost of nutrients for healthy growth and flowering.
7. Westringia is generally resistant to pests and diseases, but occasional infestations of scale insects or fungal diseases can occur. If you notice any problems, treat them promptly with appropriately.
8. Westringia is relatively hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures, from mild winters to hot summers. However, some varieties may require protection from extreme cold or heat.

2. What are the characteristics of Westringia?

Westringia is a genus of flowering shrubs native to Australia, known for their attractive foliage, long-lasting flowers, and adaptability to various growing conditions. Some of their key characteristics include:

1. Westringia is an evergreen plant with leaves that are typically small, narrow, and aromatic. They range is colour from grey-green to silver-green.
2. Westringia produce small and delicate flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple. The flowering period often extends from spring to summer, adding a touch of colour and fragrance to the landscape.
3. They typically grow as a shrub, reaching heights of 1-3 metres (3-10 feet) depending on the variety. They have a bushy, spreading habit, making them suitable for hedges, borders, and foundation plantings.
4. Westringia are known for their drought tolerance, making it an excellent choice for low-water gardens. Once established, they can withstand periods of extended dry without significant damage.
5. Westringia can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, from slightly acidic to neutral pH levels, provided it is well-drained.
6. Westringia are generally considered low-maintenance plants, requiring minimal care. Occasional pruning to maintain shape and light feeding in spring can promote healthy growth and flowering.
7. Westringia are relatively resistant to pests and diseases, making them a low-maintenance choice for gardeners.
8. Westringia is a versatile plant suitable for various landscaping purposes. They can be used as hedges, borders, foundation plantings, container gardens, or even as informal groundcovers.
9. Westringia's combination of attractive foliage and long-lasting flowers makes them a valuable addition to any landscape. Their presence adds texture, colour, and fragrance to the garden.

3. What can I plant next to Westringia?

Westringia is an adaptable and versatile plant, making it a great choice for pairing with various companion plants in your garden. Here are some suggestions for plants that complement Westringia's characteristics:

1. Consider pairing Westringia with shrubs that offer contrasting textures to create visual interest and depth in your landscape. For instance, you could plant Westringia alongside a shrub with feathery foliage, such as Astilbe or Coral Bells, or a shrub with large, glossy leaves, like Viburnum or Rhododendron.
2. Perennials provide long-lasting flowers and vibrant foliage that can extend the colourful display of your garden beyond Westringia's flowering period. Choose perennials that complement Westringia's colour palette, such as Daylilies in shades of yellow or orange, or Hostas with variegated foliage in shades of green, white, and yellow.
3. Groundcovers for a Lush Base: Groundcovers can provide a lush and complementary backdrop to Westringia shrubs. Options like Vinca with its periwinkle blue flowers or Ajuga with its purple or blue blooms add visual interest and help suppress weeds.

4. How big do Westringia white get?

Westringia 'White' is a small to medium-sized shrub that typically grows to a height of 1-2 meters (3-6 feet) and a spread of 1-2 meters (3-6 feet). It has a dense, bushy habit with fine, silvery-green leaves and small, white flowers that bloom in clusters from spring through summer.

5. What is the tallest growing Westringia?

The tallest growing Westringia variety is Westringia 'Naringa', also known as Naringa Coast Rosemary. It is a fast-growing shrub that can reach heights of up to 2.2 meters (7 feet) and a width of 1.5 meters (5 feet). Naringa is known for its dense, bushy habit, attractive silvery-green foliage, and masses of mauve flowers that bloom in spring and sporadically throughout the year.

6. What is another name for westringia?

Westringia is a genus of flowering shrubs native to Australia. It is commonly known by several names, including:

• Coastal rosemary: This name is used because the leaves of Westringia have a similar appearance and aroma to rosemary.
• Native rosemary: This name is similar to "coastal rosemary" and is also used because of the resemblance of Westringia leaves to rosemary.
• Australian mint bush: This name is less common than "coastal rosemary" or "native rosemary," but it is still sometimes used. It refers to the fact that Westringia is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae).

In addition to these common names, Westringia is also sometimes called by its species name. For example, Westringia fruticosa is sometimes called "grey box" or "native grey box."

7. What is the lowest growing westringia?

The lowest growing Westringia variety is Westringia 'Low Horizon', also known as Low Horizon Coast Rosemary. It is a dwarf, compact shrub that typically reaches a height of only 0.3 meters (1 foot) and a width of 0.7 meters (2.3 feet). Its dense, bushy habit and attractive silvery-green foliage make it a popular choice for groundcovers, borders, and rockeries.

8. What is the height and width of Westringia Mundi?

Westringia Mundi is a low-growing, spreading shrub that typically reaches a height of 40-50 cm and a width of 1.5 m. It has small, grey-green leaves and white flowers during spring and summer.

9. What is the size of Westringia fruticosa blue gem?

Westringia fruticosa 'Blue Gem' is a compact, upright shrub that typically reaches 1-1.5 meters tall and 1-1.3 metres wide. It has dense, fine-textured foliage with narrow, olive-green leaves on dark stems. It flowers profusely in spring, with blue-purple flowers that can also appear at other times of the year.

10. Where did the Westringia fruticosa Mundi come from?

While the origin of the Westringia genus is Australia, the specific cultivar Westringia fruticosa 'Mundi' is actually a hybrid and not a naturally occurring species.

Here's what we know about its origin:

• It was developed in Australia by Ozbreed, a leading plant breeder specializing in native Australian plants.
• It's a patented variety, also known under the PBR name 'WES05'.
• The exact parentage of 'Mundi' is not publicly available, as it's a proprietary trade secret. However, it's likely to be a cross between Westringia fruticosa and another Westringia species or variety.

11. Is Westringia Mundi coastal rosemary?

Westringia Mundi is commonly referred to as Coastal Rosemary. This is because it shares many characteristics with the true coastal rosemary (Westringia fruticosa):

• Salt tolerance: Both thrive in coastal environments and tolerate salt spray and wind.
• Similar appearance: Both have small, grey-green leaves and white flowers.
• General characteristics: Both are low-growing, spreading shrubs with moderate growth rates and similar sun and soil preferences.

While not technically the same species as true coastal rosemary, Westringia Mundi has earned the nickname for its remarkable adaptability to coastal conditions and its close resemblance to its relative.

12. Where can I get good advice on Westringia care?

The Plant Company has produced a suite of short articles that cover everything you could want to know about Westringia care and everything you would want to know about growing Westringia. They are well worth the read!

https://www.theplantcompany.co.nz/expert-advice/westringia