Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary
Valued for its naturally compact, rounded habit and fine grey-green foliage — producing soft white flowers without the leggy growth common to the species form.
- Current height guide
- Please enquire
- Pot size
- 20cm
Approximate only. Minimum height important? Confirm with us.
Height guide & disclaimer
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 must confirm 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.
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About this tree
About this tree
- Mature height
- 0.6m to 1m
- Mature width
- 0.6m to 1m
Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' is a compact, naturally rounded coastal rosemary cultivar bred for tighter, neater growth than the species form. It carries fine linear grey-green foliage and produces soft white tubular flowers through spring with lighter sporadic flushes through summer and autumn. Its dense habit develops naturally, without the need for hard clipping, making it one of the easiest Australian natives for low hedging and mass planting.
It performs in full sun to part shade and tolerates coastal exposure, salt-laden winds, and sandy or well-drained soils. Once established, 'Zena' is highly drought tolerant and frost hardy across most of southern Australia. A light tip-prune after the main flowering flush is enough to keep it tidy, with no formative shaping required.
For low formal hedges, clipped balls, mass-planted borders or tidy structural infill in coastal and native gardens, Westringia 'Zena' is a dependable choice. It suits modern planting schemes, low-maintenance landscapes, embankments, and council or civic projects where reliable, hardy, evenly-shaped shrubs are specified.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' Coastal Rosemary
How tall does Westringia 'Zena' grow?
Westringia 'Zena' typically grows to around 0.6 to 1 metre tall and wide, noticeably more compact than the standard species form. Its naturally rounded habit makes it well suited to low hedging and mass planting.
Does Westringia 'Zena' need clipping to stay rounded?
No. Westringia 'Zena' holds its compact rounded shape naturally and only needs a light tip-prune after the main flowering flush to keep it tidy. No formative or hard shaping is required.
Is Westringia 'Zena' suitable for coastal gardens?
Yes. Westringia 'Zena' tolerates salt-laden winds, sandy soils and exposed coastal positions, which makes it a reliable choice for seaside and headland gardens as well as inland sites.
Is Westringia 'Zena' frost tolerant?
Westringia 'Zena' is frost tolerant and handles light to moderate frost once established, performing reliably across most of southern Australia.
How much watering does Westringia 'Zena' need?
While establishing, Westringia 'Zena' needs regular watering to develop a strong root system. Once established it becomes highly drought tolerant and only needs occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.
Can Westringia 'Zena' be used as a low hedge?
Yes. Its dense, naturally even growth makes Westringia 'Zena' one of the easiest natives for low formal hedges, clipped balls and mass-planted borders. Plant at roughly 1 metre spacing for hedging.
When does Westringia 'Zena' flower?
Westringia 'Zena' produces soft white tubular flowers through spring, with lighter sporadic flushes into summer and autumn. The blooms attract bees and other pollinators and contrast nicely with the grey-green foliage.
Mature height & width
Mature height & width
- Mature height
- 0.6m to 1m
- Mature width
- 0.6m to 1m
Pot sizes & dimensions
Pot sizes & dimensions
| Pot / bag size | Width | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| 30cm Pot | 33cm | 30cm |
| 40cm/45L Pot | 44cm | 41.5cm |
| 50cm Pot / 70L Pot | 55cm | 41.8cm |
| 100L Bag | 50.6cm | 52.8cm |
| 150L Bag | 66cm | 55cm |
| 200L Bag | 71.5cm | 60.5cm |
| 300L Bag | 88cm | 63.8cm |
| 400L Bag | 99cm | 66cm |
| 500L Bag | 122cm | 66cm |
| 750L Bag | 134cm | 69cm |
| 1000L Bag | 146.3cm | 71.5cm |
| 2000L Bag | 176cm | 82.5cm |
General planting reference from our existing size guide. Actual containers can vary by supplier and batch; confirm exact dimensions if required.
Delivery & pickup
Delivery & pickup
Trade enquiries
Trade enquiries
We supply advanced trees to landscapers, developers, architects, and councils Australia-wide. Trade clients receive fast quotes, expert advice, and access to premium stock with reliable freight.
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Final delivery cost is confirmed at checkout using your full address.
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Enter the length of your boundary, then choose how closely you want to plant.
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Measure only the boundary you intend to plant—exclude gates and gaps. Spacing is centre to centre. Quantities are rounded up for one row, allowing roughly half the spacing at each end. Site conditions and pruning affect the final hedge.
About Westringia fruticosa 'Zena'
Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' is a compact, naturally rounded coastal rosemary cultivar bred for tighter, neater growth than the species form. It carries fine linear grey-green foliage and produces soft white tubular flowers through spring with lighter sporadic flushes through summer and autumn. Its dense habit develops naturally, without the need for hard clipping, making it one of the easiest Australian natives for low hedging and mass planting.
It performs in full sun to part shade and tolerates coastal exposure, salt-laden winds, and sandy or well-drained soils. Once established, 'Zena' is highly drought tolerant and frost hardy across most of southern Australia. A light tip-prune after the main flowering flush is enough to keep it tidy, with no formative shaping required.
For low formal hedges, clipped balls, mass-planted borders or tidy structural infill in coastal and native gardens, Westringia 'Zena' is a dependable choice. It suits modern planting schemes, low-maintenance landscapes, embankments, and council or civic projects where reliable, hardy, evenly-shaped shrubs are specified.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' Coastal Rosemary
How tall does Westringia 'Zena' grow?
Westringia 'Zena' typically grows to around 0.6 to 1 metre tall and wide, noticeably more compact than the standard species form. Its naturally rounded habit makes it well suited to low hedging and mass planting.
Does Westringia 'Zena' need clipping to stay rounded?
No. Westringia 'Zena' holds its compact rounded shape naturally and only needs a light tip-prune after the main flowering flush to keep it tidy. No formative or hard shaping is required.
Is Westringia 'Zena' suitable for coastal gardens?
Yes. Westringia 'Zena' tolerates salt-laden winds, sandy soils and exposed coastal positions, which makes it a reliable choice for seaside and headland gardens as well as inland sites.
Is Westringia 'Zena' frost tolerant?
Westringia 'Zena' is frost tolerant and handles light to moderate frost once established, performing reliably across most of southern Australia.
How much watering does Westringia 'Zena' need?
While establishing, Westringia 'Zena' needs regular watering to develop a strong root system. Once established it becomes highly drought tolerant and only needs occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.
Can Westringia 'Zena' be used as a low hedge?
Yes. Its dense, naturally even growth makes Westringia 'Zena' one of the easiest natives for low formal hedges, clipped balls and mass-planted borders. Plant at roughly 1 metre spacing for hedging.
When does Westringia 'Zena' flower?
Westringia 'Zena' produces soft white tubular flowers through spring, with lighter sporadic flushes into summer and autumn. The blooms attract bees and other pollinators and contrast nicely with the grey-green foliage.
- Foliage
Evergreen (foliage year round)
- Position
- Form
- Use
- Mature height
- 0.6m to 1m
- Mature width
- 0.6m to 1m
Planting Information
Recommended Planting Spacing For Your Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate).
Long Term Care For Your Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary
Planting Your Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary in Different Soil
Uses in my Garden
Uses in my Garden
Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary works in an:
Is Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary Evergreen or Deciduous?
Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary is an Evergreen (foliage year round) Tree
Mature Height & Width
Mature Height: 0.6m to 1m
Mature Width: 0.6m to 1m
Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate).
Growth Rate of Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary is expected to grow 30cm to 60cm per year (moderate).
They are considered to have a:
Frost Tolerance & Ideal Climate to plant Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary
Is Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary frost tolerant?
Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary is Frost Tolerant – Can handle light to moderate frost once established.
Does Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary Flower?
Westringia 'Zena' produces soft white tubular flowers through spring with sporadic flushes through summer and autumn. The blooms contrast with the fine grey-green foliage, providing a reliable and long-lasting seasonal display.
Does Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary flower?
Flowering Period:
Flower Type:
Flower Colour:
White
Is Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary an Australian Native Tree?
Yes
Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary is Native to A compact-form cultivar of Westringia fruticosa, a species native to coastal cliffs, dunes, and exposed headlands across New South Wales and Victoria.
What is the Wildlife Value of Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary ?
Its small tubular flowers provide a reliable nectar source for native bees, hoverflies and other beneficial pollinators, while the dense compact foliage offers shelter for small birds. This makes it a valuable shrub for supporting biodiversity in coastal and inland gardens.
How much Sunlight does Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary need?
Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary will thrive best in:
Preferred Soil?
Westringia 'Zena' 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. Keep soil evenly moist during establishment, then reduce watering as it matures.
Is Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary Drought Tolerant?
Is Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary Drought tolerant?
During establishment it requires regular watering, but once established Westringia 'Zena' develops excellent drought tolerance. Suited to coastal sites and warm temperate conditions, it maintains its compact rounded form with only occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall does Westringia 'Zena' grow?
Westringia 'Zena' typically grows to around 0.6 to 1 metre tall and wide, noticeably more compact than the standard species form. Its naturally rounded habit makes it well suited to low hedging and mass planting.
Does Westringia 'Zena' need clipping to stay rounded?
No. Westringia 'Zena' holds its compact rounded shape naturally and only needs a light tip-prune after the main flowering flush to keep it tidy. No formative or hard shaping is required.
Is Westringia 'Zena' suitable for coastal gardens?
Yes. Westringia 'Zena' tolerates salt-laden winds, sandy soils and exposed coastal positions, which makes it a reliable choice for seaside and headland gardens as well as inland sites.
Is Westringia 'Zena' frost tolerant?
Westringia 'Zena' is frost tolerant and handles light to moderate frost once established, performing reliably across most of southern Australia.
How much watering does Westringia 'Zena' need?
While establishing, Westringia 'Zena' needs regular watering to develop a strong root system. Once established it becomes highly drought tolerant and only needs occasional deep watering during extended dry periods.
Can Westringia 'Zena' be used as a low hedge?
Yes. Its dense, naturally even growth makes Westringia 'Zena' one of the easiest natives for low formal hedges, clipped balls and mass-planted borders. Plant at roughly 1 metre spacing for hedging.
When does Westringia 'Zena' flower?
Westringia 'Zena' produces soft white tubular flowers through spring, with lighter sporadic flushes into summer and autumn. The blooms attract bees and other pollinators and contrast nicely with the grey-green foliage.
What soil does Westringia 'Zena' prefer?
Westringia 'Zena' performs best in well-drained sandy or loam soils with an acidic to neutral pH. It tolerates nutrient-poor coastal sands, but heavy clay and waterlogged sites should be avoided unless drainage is significantly improved.
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20cm
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30cm
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Heights are approximate and vary between individual trees.
Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' is loved for its Valued for its naturally compact, rounded habit and fine grey-green foliage — producing soft white flowers without the leggy growth common to the species form.
We take pride in supplying A+ grade advanced trees. When stock at our farm is not yet ready, we work with our trusted trade suppliers to source the best available trees for your garden.
Plant Your Westringia fruticosa 'Zena' – Compact Coastal Rosemary With:
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls
Trachelospermum jasminoides 'Balls' is Star Jasmine grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere. The small glossy leaves sit tight on a woody framework, holding a clean rounded outline year round. White pinwheel flowers open in spring and carry a strong sweet scent right across a courtyard.
Ball specimens hold at about 1 to 1.5 metres tall and wide with light clipping. Full sun to part shade suits them, in any free draining soil. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year. They handle coastal exposure, light frost and dry spells once the roots are down.
Repeat them along a driveway, either side of an entry, or in pots on a terrace where a formal shape is wanted straight away. They read as structure in a planting scheme without the height of a hedge, and because the form is already trained, a new garden looks settled from the day it goes in.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Star Jasmine Balls
What are Star Jasmine Balls?
They are Trachelospermum jasminoides, the common Star Jasmine, grown and clipped into a dense evergreen sphere on a woody framework. Instead of climbing, the plant is trained into a self supporting rounded shape. The foliage is small, glossy and dark green, and the plant carries scented white flowers through spring.
How big do Star Jasmine Balls grow?
They hold at roughly 1 to 1.5 metres tall and 1 to 1.5 metres wide. Growth is slow to moderate at 30 to 50 centimetres a year, so a light clip once or twice a year keeps the ball tight at whatever size within that range suits the setting.
Do Star Jasmine Balls need sun or shade?
Full sun to part shade both work. Full sun gives the densest foliage and the heaviest flowering, while part shade produces slightly softer, more open growth and fewer flowers. Avoid deep shade, where the ball thins out and loses its outline. Morning sun with afternoon protection suits hot inland gardens.
Can Star Jasmine Balls be grown in pots?
Yes, and pots are one of the main uses. A container 50 to 60 centimetres wide with a quality free draining mix will hold a ball for years. Water more often than you would in the ground, especially in summer, and feed in spring and again in late summer. Refresh the mix every few years.
Are Star Jasmine Balls evergreen?
Yes, the foliage is held year round. The glossy dark green leaves take on a bronze tinge in cold weather and green up again in spring, but the plant never goes bare. That is what makes it useful as permanent structure in a scheme, particularly in winter once perennials have died back.
When do Star Jasmine Balls flower?
Flowering runs through spring, roughly September to November, and often carries into early summer in warmer districts. The white pinwheel flowers are small but produced in quantity, and the scent is strong on still evenings. Flowering is heaviest on plants in full sun that were not clipped hard just before bud set.
How do I prune and care for Star Jasmine Balls?
Clip lightly with hedging shears once after flowering and again in late summer if needed, taking only the new growth to keep the outline crisp. Water deeply in dry weather, mulch the base, and feed in early spring. The sap is milky and can irritate skin, so wear gloves when trimming.
Trachelospermum jasminoides Balls – Star Jasmine Balls

Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary
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.
Westringia fruticosa – Coastal Rosemary

Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Blue' is a hardy Australian native shrub grown for its lilac blue flowers, which are larger and more freely carried than those of the common white forms. Narrow grey green leaves sit in neat whorls on a dense rounded frame that holds its shape through the year.
Expect 1.5 to 2 metres in height and width at maturity, at 30 to 60 centimetres a year. Full sun brings the heaviest flowering, though part shade is accepted. Drainage matters above everything else, after which it takes salt wind, sandy or gravelly ground, drought and light to moderate frost.
Mass plantings on batters, median strips and coastal frontages are where it earns its keep, and it clips into a low hedge of about a metre without losing its flowering. Plant 1 to 1.5 metres apart for an informal screen. One plant fills a 40 to 50 centimetre pot neatly.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary
What is Westringia Wynyabbie Blue?
Westringia 'Wynyabbie Blue' is a hardy Australian native shrub grown for its lilac blue flowers, which are larger and more freely carried than those of the common white forms. Narrow grey green leaves sit in neat whorls on a dense rounded frame. It is evergreen and holds its structure all year.
How big does Wynyabbie Blue grow?
It reaches 1.5 to 2 metres tall and 1.5 to 2 metres wide at maturity, growing 30 to 60 centimetres a year. It clips comfortably to around a metre if you want a lower hedge, and it will hold that height indefinitely given two or three light trims a year.
When does Wynyabbie Blue flower?
From spring right through autumn, roughly September to May, with sporadic flowers in winter in mild districts. The lilac blue flowers open in flushes rather than all at once, so there is usually some colour on the plant. Flowering is heaviest in full sun on lean, well drained soil.
Is Wynyabbie Blue drought tolerant?
Yes. Once the roots are established it needs very little water and copes with extended dry periods, which is why it is used on unirrigated median strips and road verges. Drainage matters more than watering, since the plant will die in soggy ground long before it dies of thirst.
Is Wynyabbie Blue suitable for coastal positions?
It is. Salt laden wind, sandy soils and reflected heat are all handled, and it is planted routinely on foreshore reserves and beachside gardens. In very exposed frontal positions the plant stays lower and denser than it would inland, which generally suits the situation anyway.
How far apart should I plant Wynyabbie Blue for a hedge?
Use 80 centimetres between plants for a clipped formal hedge, or 1 to 1.5 metres for a dense informal screen. For mass planting on banks and median strips, 1 metre in a staggered pattern gives full coverage within about two growing seasons and shades out most weeds.
How do I prune and care for Wynyabbie Blue?
Trim lightly after each flowering flush, taking soft growth only. Cutting back into bare old wood leaves gaps that will not fill in, so stay on top of it rather than letting it get away. Water through the first summer, then rarely. Avoid rich soils and heavy fertiliser.
Westringia ‘Wynyabbie Blue’ – Wynyabbie Blue Coastal Rosemary

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