Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary - Evergreen Trees Direct

Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary

$150.00

Tax included. Shipping calculated at checkout.

Size: 30cm

30cm 100L

Current Stock Height Guides

30cm: 0.3m – 0.4m Approx.

Height guide disclaimer: Height ranges are approximate only. As living products, plant heights naturally vary between individual plants, batches, and seasons. No guarantee is given that supplied plants will fall within the stated range. If minimum heights are required, you mustconfirm current batch heights with Evergreen Trees Direct prior to purchase. Variation in height is normal and is not grounds for return, refund, replacement, or compensation.

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 1.5m to 2m

Mature Width: 1.5m to 2m

Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate).

Root Ball Dimensions

Use this as a reference when digging your planting hole. We recommend digging at least 10% wider than the dimensions below to encourage strong root development.

30cm Pot: 33cm (W) × 30cm (D)
40cm/45L Pot: 44cm (W) × 41.5cm (D)
50cm Pot / 70L Pot: 55cm (W) × 41.8cm (D)
100L Bag: 50.6cm (W) × 52.8cm (D)
150L Bag: 66cm (W) × 55cm (D)
200L Bag: 71.5cm (W) × 60.5cm (D)
300L Bag: 88cm (W) × 63.8cm (D)
400L Bag: 99cm (W) × 66cm (D)
500L Bag: 122cm (W) × 66cm (D)
750L Bag: 134cm (W) × 69cm (D)
1000L Bag: 146.3cm (W) × 71.5cm (D)
2000L Bag: 176cm (W) × 82.5cm (D)

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Email: sales@evergreentrees.com.au

Phone: (03) 7042 3318

About Your New Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary

Westringia fruticosa, Coastal Rosemary, is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It builds a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not the culinary herb.

Mature plants sit at 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year, and they clip smaller without complaint. Full sun to part shade and sharp drainage are the requirements. Salt wind, sandy soil, drought and light to moderate frost are all handled.

It is a standard on coastal projects, road verges, council garden beds and exposed banks that need erosion cover. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for an informal screen, or 80 centimetres for a clipped hedge. A single plant fills a 40 to 50 centimetre pot on a courtyard or balcony.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Coastal Rosemary

What is Coastal Rosemary?

Westringia fruticosa is an Australian native evergreen shrub from the headlands and dunes of the east coast. It forms a dense rounded bush of fine grey green leaves held in whorls, with small white to pale lilac flowers. Despite the common name it is not culinary rosemary and is not used in cooking.

How big does Coastal Rosemary grow?

Mature plants reach 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide. It clips readily to smaller dimensions and is often maintained at around a metre as a hedge or a low mound. Growth is moderate, roughly 30 to 60 centimetres a year, so it holds a trimmed shape well.

Is Coastal Rosemary suitable for coastal positions?

It is one of the best shrubs available for exposed coastal work. It grows naturally on sea cliffs and copes with salt laden wind, sand and reflected heat. It is used constantly on beachfront reserves, dune stabilisation projects and seaside gardens where little else holds a tidy shape.

When does Coastal Rosemary flower?

The main flush is spring and summer, roughly September through February, with scattered flowering at other times of the year in mild districts. The flowers are small, white to pale lilac and sit among the foliage rather than above it. Clipped hedges flower less than plants left to grow informally.

How far apart should I plant Coastal Rosemary for a hedge?

Space plants 80 centimetres apart for a tight formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen. On banks and batters used for erosion cover, 1 metre in a staggered grid gives full ground coverage within about two growing seasons.

Can Coastal Rosemary grow in pots?

Yes. A pot 40 to 50 centimetres wide suits a single plant for a courtyard, entry or balcony. Use a free draining mix, because the roots will not tolerate sitting wet. Container plants need watering more often than those in the ground, plus a light trim to hold their shape.

How do I prune and care for Coastal Rosemary?

Trim lightly two or three times a year, taking the soft new growth and avoiding cuts into bare old wood, which reshoots poorly. Water through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells. On most soils it needs no feeding at all, and it resents heavy watering and poor drainage.

Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

Enriched Planting Mix is a certified organic blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent, bagged in 30L. It is built to be dug through existing garden soil at planting time rather than used on its own, and the gypsum is what sets it apart from a plain compost.

Gypsum helps break up heavy clay so water and roots can move through it, while the compost and manure return organic matter and nutrient to tired ground. The coarse bark holds structure and keeps air around the root zone, and the wetting agent keeps moisture in the soil longer after rain or watering.

Use it when planting trees, shrubs, roses, fruit trees and exotic garden plants, particularly into clay. Dig a hole twice the width of the pot and 7 centimetres deeper, then mix roughly one third planting mix through the excavated soil. Spread 7 centimetres of that improved soil in the base before setting the plant in.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Enriched Planting Mix

What is Enriched Planting Mix made from?

It is a blend of Pure Magic Compost, composted animal manure, gypsum, composted coarse bark and a wetting agent. Each part has a job. The compost and manure supply organic matter and nutrient, the gypsum works on clay structure, the bark keeps air around the roots and the wetting agent holds moisture in the soil.

What plants is it suitable for?

It suits exotic garden plants, including roses, ornamental and deciduous trees, fruit trees, shrubs and perennials, and it earns its keep most on heavy clay sites. It is a planting mix rather than a potting mix, so its job is improving soil at planting time. Phosphorus sensitive natives are the one clear exception.

Is it safe for natives?

No, not for the phosphorus sensitive ones. The composted animal manure in this blend lifts phosphorus well above what Proteaceae such as Banksia, Grevillea, Hakea and Protea will tolerate, and the result can be leaf burn, dieback and plant death. Use the Native Potting Mix for those species, or plant them into unimproved local soil.

Is it certified organic?

Yes. It is a certified organic product with no chemical additives, which is why the manure and compost in it are fully composted rather than raw. That makes it sound around fruit trees and vegetable beds, and it means you are adding genuine organic matter to your soil rather than a synthetic conditioner.

How much do I need?

Work on roughly one third planting mix to two thirds of the soil you dug out of the hole. For a shrub out of a 200 millimetre pot that is only a few litres. An advanced tree going into a large hole will take considerably more. Judge the quantity by the volume of the hole rather than the size of the plant.

Can I use it in pots?

It is not a potting mix and should not be used on its own in a container. The blend is designed to be diluted through garden soil, and used straight in a pot it holds too much water and settles badly. For containers, reach for a premium potting mix, or the native mix if you are potting natives.

Does it need to be watered in?

Yes. Water the plant well several hours before you plant it, then water thoroughly again once the hole is backfilled and the soil firmed down. That first deep watering settles the improved soil around the root ball and drives out air pockets. Keep the water up over the first few months while the roots establish.

View full details

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Enriched Planting Mix (AO Certified)

$21.95

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Uses in my Garden

Screening or Privacy
Feature Tree
Council or Civic Landscapes

Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary works in an:

Australian Native Garden – celebrates local plants with natural character.
Coastal Garden – relaxed, seaside feel with hardy, textural plants.
Formal Garden – structured, symmetrical design with clipped shapes.
Low-maintenance Garden – resilient choices for easy care and year-round appeal.
Modern Garden – sleek, minimal, and design-led planting.

Is Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary Evergreen or Deciduous?

Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree

Mature Height & Width

Mature Height: 1.5m to 2m

Mature Width: 1.5m to 2m

Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate).

Growth Rate of Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary

Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate).

They are considered to have a:

Medium Growth Rate

Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary

Is Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary frost tolerant?

Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.

Does Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary Flower?

Westringia fruticosa produces soft white to pale lilac flowers throughout most of the year, with heavier flushes in spring and summer. The delicate blooms contrast beautifully against its fine grey-green foliage, creating a light and long-lasting seasonal display.

Does Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary flower?

Yes - Flowers

Flowering Period:

Spring
Summer
Sporadic

Flower Type:

Clustered
Pollinator-attracting

Flower Colour:

White

Is Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary an Australian Native Tree?

Yes

Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary is Native to Coastal New South Wales and Victoria, where it naturally grows on cliffs, dunes, and exposed headlands.

What is the Wildlife Value of Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary ?

Its small tubular flowers provide a reliable nectar source for native bees, hoverflies and other beneficial pollinators, while the dense, tidy foliage creates valuable shelter for small birds. This makes it an excellent shrub for supporting biodiversity in both coastal and inland landscapes.

How much Sunlight does Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary need?

Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary will thrive best in:

Full Sun
Part Shade

Preferred Soil?

Westringia fruticosa performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils with an acidic to neutral pH. It is naturally adapted to coastal sands and tolerates nutrient-poor soils provided drainage is free-flowing. Avoid heavy clay and waterlogged sites unless significantly improved, as these conditions can cause root decline. Keep the soil evenly moist during establishment, then gradually reduce watering as it matures.

Is Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary Drought Tolerant?

Is Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary Drought tolerant?

As a young plant it benefits from regular watering to establish a strong root system. Once established, Westringia fruticosa shows excellent drought tolerance, thriving in dry, exposed and coastal conditions while maintaining its compact form with minimal supplementary watering.

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How To Plant Your Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary

Site: Choose a well-drained position in full sun to part shade with room for the canopy to develop.

Soil preparation: Enrich the planting area with quality compost and aged manure for a strong establishment phase.

Hole: Dig twice as wide as the root ball and the same depth.

Planting: Position level with the surrounding soil, backfill gently, firm in, then water deeply to settle the roots.

Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary

Hedging and screening: 1 to 1.5 metres apart for a dense informal screen, or 80 centimetres apart for a tighter formal hedge.

Pot or container: A 40 to 50 centimetre wide pot suits a single specimen for courtyards, entries and balconies.

Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate).

Medium Growth Rate

Long Term Care For Your Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary

Watering: Water deeply twice weekly through the first 12 months. Once established, this is drought tolerant and only needs a deep soak during extended dry periods.

Mulching: Apply a 3 to 5 centimetre layer of organic mulch over the root zone in the garden, or a thin layer of decorative pebbles in pots, keeping it clear of the trunk.

Pruning: Tip prune in late winter and again in summer to build dense growth. For a formal hedge, light shaping two to three times a year keeps lines crisp.

Fertilising: Apply a slow-release native blend in early spring and again in autumn. Avoid high-phosphorus formulations as a precaution.

Pest and disease: Hardy against most pests and diseases. Occasional inspection in warm humid conditions is all that's needed.

Planting Your Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary in Different Soil

Westringia fruticosa performs best in well-drained sandy loam or loam with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Adaptable to a wide range of soils when drainage is improved with organic matter.

Sandy soil: Free-draining and ideal. Mulch well to maintain consistent moisture.

Clay soil: Improve drainage with gypsum and organic compost before planting.

Loam: The preferred soil for steady root development and consistent growth.

pH: Slightly acidic to neutral preferred. Mulch with composted leaf litter to maintain levels naturally.