Species

1 other cultivar

‘Aussie Box’Aussie Box Westringia

shrub

Coast Rosemary

Westringia hybrid 'Naringa'

The Story

Plant Bio

Westringia is a genus of evergreen shrubs native to Australia, closely related to rosemary and highly adapted to harsh coastal conditions. They feature narrow, whorled leaves and small, two-lipped flowers that bloom reliably across multiple seasons in well-drained soils.

'WES01', commonly traded as Naringa, is distinguished by its highly upright, columnar growth habit that requires far less pruning than sprawling wild forms. This dense cultivar produces a profusion of pale mauve flowers against neat, gray-green foliage, making it well-suited for narrow hedges.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a neat, structural, columnar form with fine gray-green foliage and near-constant pale lavender flowers.

Serves as an exceptionally low-maintenance, drought-tolerant hedge that requires half the pruning of standard Westringia cultivars.

Attracts beneficial insects, native bees, and opportunistic nectar-feeding birds or hummingbirds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

79"

Width

59"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

High tolerance

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Winter

In flower about 12 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with excellent soil drainage.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and of equal depth, ensuring the crown sits level with the surrounding soil.
Water deeply to settle the soil, then apply a light layer of organic mulch, keeping it clear of the main stems.
Irrigate regularly during the first summer to establish the root system, then reduce watering to rely primarily on natural rainfall.

Pro Tip

Avoid pruning back into old, bare wood, as Westringia lacks adventitious buds on leafless stems and will fail to regenerate.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune lightly once or twice a year to maintain a dense, upright hedge.
Ensure the soil drains rapidly to prevent root rot pathogens.
Apply a low-phosphorus native fertilizer sparingly in early spring if growth slows.

Don't

Do not prune hard back into old, leafless wood, as the plant will not regenerate from bare stems.
Do not overwater or allow water to pool around the root zone.
Do not apply heavy doses of standard high-phosphorus fertilizers.

Seasonal Care Calendar

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

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Formal or informal hedgesPrivacy screensCoastal windbreaksLow-water Mediterranean gardens

Companion Plants

Rosmarinus officinalis Lavandula dentata Salvia clevelandii Agave attenuata

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.

Is Coast Rosemary deer resistant?

Yes — Coast Rosemary is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Coast Rosemary bloom?

Coast Rosemary typically blooms in spring through winter. 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.