Westringia fruticosa![RHS AGM](/assets/styles/images/icons/RHS-AGM--Small-Vert__web.svg)
Australian rosemary
A tender shrub to 1.5m, with linear leaves to 2.5cm long, green above, white-felted beneath. From late spring to early autumn it produces tubular white to very pale blue flowers with darker freckling in the throats; these are borne singly in the leaf axils
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | White Blue | Green | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | White Blue | Green | ||
Autumn | White Blue | Green | ||
Winter | Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered Hardiness
H2Botanical details
- Family
- Lamiaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
A genus of 25 species of evergreen shrubs, native to Australia, with narrow, lance-shaped dark green foliage, similar to Rosmarinus, and white to pale blue flowers
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- Australia (coastal NSW)
How to grow
Cultivation
Under glass, grow in loam-based potting compost with added leaf mould and sharp sand, in full light. When in growth, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; water sparingly in winter
Propagation
Propagate by seed sown in spring, greenwood cuttings in early summer, or semi-ripe cuttings in late summer
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
See pruning group 9
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
Generally disease-free
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.