6 named cultivars

shrub

Coastal Rosemary

The Story

Plant Bio

Westringia fruticosa, the coastal rosemary, is a dense, rounded evergreen shrub native to the exposed headlands and sea cliffs of eastern Australia. Its narrow, grey-green leaves are arranged in neat whorls of four, showing silvery-white, hairy undersides that catch the wind and tolerate harsh, salt-laden maritime gales.

The small, white axillary flowers bloom almost continuously throughout the year, peaking in spring to attract native bees and small nectar-feeding birds. This species is highly valued for its exceptional resistance to coastal salt spray and its ability to thrive in skeletal, sandy soils where other shrubs fail.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a neat, silver-grey structural element that responds beautifully to formal clipping and hedging.

Offers exceptional windbreak and erosion control capabilities in exposed, salt-swept coastal gardens.

Attracts and supports native bees, beneficial hoverflies, butterflies, and small nectar-feeding birds.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

79 inches

Width

79 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate to high

Lifespan

10-20 years

Native To

Eastern Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with excellent drainage, such as a raised bed or sandy slope.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but to the same depth, ensuring the soil is loosened.
Backfill with native soil, firming gently around the base, and water in thoroughly to settle the roots.
Apply a light layer of organic mulch around the root zone, keeping it clear of the main stem to prevent rot.

Pro Tip

Prune lightly immediately after a flowering flush to maintain a dense form; cutting back hard into old, leafless wood will kill the branch as this species lacks epicormic buds to regenerate.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Do plant in highly free-draining soil to prevent Phytophthora root rot.
Do prune lightly once or twice a year after major flowering flushes to maintain a dense, bushy habit.
Do apply a low-phosphorus native fertiliser sparingly in spring if growth is slow.

Don't

Don't prune hard back into old, bare, leafless wood, as the plant cannot regenerate from dormant nodes.
Don't plant in low-lying, waterlogged, or poorly drained heavy clay soils.
Don't overwater once established, as this species is highly drought-tolerant.

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 windbreaksFormal hedgesTopiaryMass plantingsErosion control on slopes

Companion Plants

Callistemon citrinus Correa alba Leptospermum laevigatum 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.