Botanical Name: Westringia fruticosa
Common Names: Coastal Rosemary, Native Rosemary, Westringia, Coastal Westringia
๐ Product Description
Westringia fruticosa is a hardy evergreen shrub valued for its fine grey-green foliage, naturally neat growth habit, and delicate white to pale mauve flowers. Its soft textured appearance and excellent drought and coastal tolerance make it an ideal choice for low hedges, borders, water-wise gardens, and contemporary landscape planting.
This versatile shrub forms a dense, rounded shape and responds very well to pruning, making it perfect for clipped hedges, edging, and formal structure, while also looking attractive left in a more natural form. In South African gardens, it is especially useful in sunny, exposed, and coastal positions where many softer shrubs struggle.
Neat, resilient, and low maintenance, Westringia fruticosa is an excellent choice for gardeners wanting year-round foliage structure with a soft, refined look.
๐ Size When Fully Grown
Height: 1โ2 m
Spread: 1โ2 m
Growth Habit: Dense, rounded evergreen shrub
Growth Rate: Moderate
๐ฑ Best Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to light partial shade
Soil: Well-draining soil; adaptable to sandy, loamy, and coastal soils
Water:
โข Water regularly during establishment
โข Drought tolerant once established
โข Benefits from occasional deep watering during extended dry periods
โข Avoid permanently waterlogged soil
Feeding: Apply compost or a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring if needed to encourage healthy dense growth.
Maintenance:
โข Prune lightly to maintain shape or clip as a hedge
โข Responds well to regular trimming
โข Remove dead or untidy growth as needed
โข Very low maintenance once established
๐ฆ๏ธ Planting & Growing Season (South Africa)
Best Planting Time: Spring or autumn
Active Growth: Spring and summer
Flowering Time: Mainly spring to summer, often sporadically at other times
Climate Suitability: Suitable for most South African regions, especially coastal, temperate, and water-wise gardens
Frost Tolerance: Tolerates light frost once established
Wind Tolerance: Excellent, including coastal and exposed positions
๐ผ Additional Benefits
โข Fine grey-green evergreen foliage
โข Excellent coastal and drought tolerance
โข Responds well to clipping
โข Low maintenance and hardy
โข Soft flowers attract pollinators
๐ฟ Ideal Uses
โ Low hedges and borders
โ Coastal gardens
โ Water-wise gardens
โ Formal and contemporary planting
โ Mass planting

