Garden hybrid

This is a garden hybrid, bred from more than one wild species, so it has no single species page of its own.

1 other cultivar

‘Blue Gem’Blue Gem Coast Rosemary

shrub

Coast Rosemary

Westringia x hybrida 'Wynyabbie Gem'

The Story

Plant Bio

Westringia is a genus of evergreen Australian shrubs highly valued for their tough, rosemary-like foliage and exceptional tolerance to coastal winds. These plants produce small, tubular, two-lipped flowers in the leaf axils and thrive in well-drained soils under full sun.

'Wynyabbie Gem' is a dense, rounded hybrid shrub featuring narrow, silver-green leaves with pale, felted undersides. This cultivar produces a prolific display of light lilac-mauve to blue-mauve flowers from spring through fall.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides year-round structure with dense, silver-green foliage and a steady succession of soft lavender-mauve flowers.

Highly tolerant of salt spray, wind, and drought, making it an exceptional choice for challenging coastal or low-water landscapes.

Attracts generalist pollinators and beneficial insects to the garden with its nectar-rich blooms.

Garden hybrid

Bred from more than one wild species, so it has no species page of its own.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

72"

Width

72"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Fall

In flower about 9 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to very light partial shade with excellent drainage.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and of equal depth, avoiding heavy clay soils.
Gently loosen the outer roots of the container plant and set it in the hole at soil level.
Backfill with native soil, water deeply to settle, and apply a light layer of mulch, keeping it clear of the main stem.

Pro Tip

Prune lightly once or twice a year immediately after the main flowering flushes; cutting back past the green foliage into old, bare wood prevents regrowth and leaves permanent dead patches.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system.
Prune lightly after the spring flowering flush to maintain a dense, bushy habit.
Ensure the soil drains rapidly to prevent root rot.

Don't

Do not cut back into old, leafless brown wood as it will not reshoot.
Do not overwater or plant in heavy, waterlogged clay soils.
Do not shear the plant into tight, formal geometric shapes year after year.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Coastal gardensLow hedgesMediterranean landscapesMass plantingsWindbreaks

Companion Plants

Rosmarinus officinalis Lavandula dentata Salvia clevelandii

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Coast Rosemary questions

What zones can Coast Rosemary grow in?

Coast 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 Coast Rosemary bloom?

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

Does Coast Rosemary need full sun?

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

Is Coast Rosemary drought tolerant?

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