Species

Westringia fruticosaCoastal Rosemary

5 other cultivars

shrub

Coastal Rosemary

Westringia fruticosa 'Zena'

The Story

Plant Bio

Westringia fruticosa, commonly known as coastal rosemary, is an evergreen Australian shrub native to the sea cliffs and sandy beaches of New South Wales. It features small, narrow, grey-green leaves arranged in tight whorls along the stems and produces small, tubular, two-lipped flowers.

'Zena' is a compact, dense cultivar that grows to a height of 60 to 100 centimetres with a naturally rounded, mounding habit. This selection is highly resilient to coastal salt spray, strong winds, and dry conditions, making it an excellent choice for structural clipping or low hedging.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a neat, silver-grey mounded form that responds beautifully to clipping, accented by year-round pale mauve flowers.

Highly tolerant of salt spray, coastal winds, and drought, making it an exceptional choice for challenging coastal landscapes.

Offers essential nectar for native bees and beneficial insects, while providing dense shelter for small native birds.

SpeciesWestringia fruticosaCoastal Rosemary

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

39 inches

Width

39 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

High coastal tolerance

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to light shade with highly permeable, well-drained soil.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and plant at the same depth as the nursery container.
Water deeply during the establishment phase, then reduce watering to rely on natural rainfall.
Apply a low-phosphorus, native-formulated slow-release fertiliser once a year in spring.

Pro Tip

Never prune hard into old, leafless brown wood; Westringia lacks epicormic buds on mature interior stems and will not shoot back if cut past the green foliage.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune lightly one to two times a year after major flowering flushes to maintain a tight, compact form.
Ensure the soil drains rapidly to prevent waterlogging and root rot.
Plant in full sun to achieve the densest foliage and maximum flower production.

Don't

Do not cut back into bare, woody interior stems that lack active green leaves.
Do not overwater or plant in heavy, unamended clay soils where water pools.
Do not apply standard high-phosphorus fertilisers; stick to native-safe formulations.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Pest Check
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Low formal or informal hedgesCoastal windbreaks and beachside plantingsMounded structural specimens in Mediterranean gardensMass plantings for erosion control on slopes

Companion Plants

Lomandra longifolia Correa alba Anigozanthos flavidus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Coastal Rosemary questions

What zones can Coastal Rosemary grow in?

Coastal Rosemary is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Coastal Rosemary bloom?

Coastal Rosemary typically blooms in year round through year round. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Coastal Rosemary need full sun?

Coastal Rosemary does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Coastal Rosemary drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Coastal Rosemary handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.