shrub

Wynyabbie Gem

Westringia 'Wynyabbie Gem'

The Story

Plant Bio

Westringia is a genus of hardy, evergreen Australian shrubs closely related to rosemary, adapted to coastal cliffs and dry inland habitats. The plants feature narrow, whorled foliage and small, two-lipped flowers produced in the leaf axils throughout the year.

'Wynyabbie Gem' is a dense, rounded hybrid cultivar growing to 1.6 metres tall with soft grey-green leaves that are pale and hairy underneath. It produces light lilac-mauve to violet-blue flowers heavily clustered along the stems, peaking in spring but spot-flowering year-round.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a neat, rounded grey-green form with soft lilac-mauve flowers suitable for low hedging or coastal windbreaks.

Highly drought-tolerant and salt-resistant, making it excellent for stabilizing soils in exposed coastal gardens.

Attracts native bees, hoverflies, and beneficial insects while providing shelter and food for small native birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

60 inches

Width

60 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Good

Lifespan

8-10 years (reduced by heavy shearing)

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in a full sun to partially shaded position in well-drained soil.
Water moderately until established, then reduce supplementary watering to a minimum.
Apply a low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly in spring if growth is slow.
Tip-prune lightly after the main spring flowering flush to maintain a dense shape.

Pro Tip

Prune lightly and frequently after the main spring flush; cutting back into old bare wood prevents shooting and can shorten the plant's lifespan.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Ensure excellent soil drainage to prevent root rot.
Prune lightly and regularly to maintain density.
Use low-phosphorus native fertilisers sparingly.

Don't

Do not prune hard into old, leafless woody stems.
Do not overwater or allow the plant to sit in waterlogged soil.
Do not shear heavily and repeatedly, as this shortens the plant's lifespan.

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

Coastal gardensLow hedgesWindbreaksMixed shrub bordersSpecimen plantings

Companion Plants

Callistemon species Grevillea species Anigozanthos species

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Wynyabbie Gem questions

What zones can Wynyabbie Gem grow in?

Wynyabbie Gem 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 Wynyabbie Gem bloom?

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

Does Wynyabbie Gem need full sun?

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

Is Wynyabbie Gem drought tolerant?

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