Westringia fruticosa (white flowers)

Westringia fruticosa

Common name: Coastal Rosemary

Description: This evergreen Australian shrub offers year-round interest with its attractive grey-green foliage and delicate flowers. The needle-like leaves, arranged in whorls along the stems, resemble rosemary and create a soft, textural appearance. From late spring through to autumn, the plant produces small tubular white flowers with purple spots that appear in clusters along the stems, providing months of gentle colour. The naturally rounded, bushy habit requires minimal pruning and creates an excellent low hedge, border plant, or container specimen. Westringia is particularly valued for coastal gardens due to its excellent salt and wind tolerance, bringing a Mediterranean feel to the British garden.

Other benefits: evergreen foliage, long flowering season, excellent for coastal gardens, drought tolerant, deer resistant, low maintenance

Wildlife attraction: bees, butterflies, pollinators

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 1.5m x 1.5m

Position: full sun essential; requires a warm, sheltered position

Soil pH: adaptable; prefers neutral to slightly alkaline soils; tolerates poor soils

Moisture: minimal watering once established; drought tolerant; must have excellent drainage, especially in winter

Winter hardiness: borderline hardy to -5°C; requires winter protection in colder areas or grow in containers to move under cover