WESTRINGIA FRUTICOSA SMOKEY

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Westringia fruticosa Smokey, commonly known as variegated coastal rosemary, is an evergreen shrub native to the coastal regions of Australia. It has small leaves that are green/grey and white in colour. It can be used in various ways, great for low hedges, container or specimen planting. Extremely hardy and salt tolerant, making it great for coastal conditions. Small, white flowers appear in the warmer months, attracting butterflies and bees!

Smokey is a great alternative to the normal Westringia Fruticosa as it provides different colour foliage that will stand out in any space.

 

CARE AND GROWTH:

Westringia fruticose Smokey prefers full sun but can tolerate part shade. Once established, it will become drought tolerant but for the first few months, ensure it is watered regularly. It can adapt to various soil types, but a well-draining soil mix is best.

Westringia respond well to pruning. Prune in Spring to help maintain its compact shape and encourage bushier growth. Prune after flowering to encourage new growth. Feed in Spring with a slow-release fertiliser and optionally, you can apply a layer of mulch around the base of the plant to help keep down weeds, retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. When planting, make the hole a little wider than the root ball and water well so the soil will settle.

Westringia fruitcosa Smokey typically grows around 1.5 meters but can be trimmed and kept at any desired height. They are low maintenance, relatively pest resistant and drought tolerant once established.

 

PLANTING IDEAS:

Hedge: The attractive light grey-silver foliage colour of the Westringia fruticosa Smokey and its quick growth rate make it ideal for use as a small hedge or border. When pruned regularly, it will maintain a nice, dense habit. Combine with a mix of other shrubs, grasses and perennials for a diverse and visually appealing border/hedge.

Coastal Landscapes: Westringia fruticose Smokey is very popular in coastal gardens due to the plant’s natural tolerance to salt spray. Pair with other coastal-loving plants such as succulents, Agapanthus and Seaside Daisy (Erigeron).

Mediterranean Garden: Create a Mediterranean-inspired garden by pairing Westringia fruticosa Smokey with other drought-tolerant plants such as Lavender and Rosemary.

Wildlife Garden: Plant Westringia fruticosa Smokey to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies with its fragrant flowers.

Container planting: Its compact growth habit make it a great choice for pots and containers.

Xeriscape Garden: A Xeriscape garden is one that reduces or eliminates the need for irrigation. Pair Westringia with other drought-resistant plants like Agaves, Yuccas, ornamental grasses and succulents.

Native Garden: Having Westringia fruticosa Smokey as the focal point in a native garden will allow you to showcase Australia’s gorgeous flora and create a low-maintenance landscape. There are plenty of wonderful Australian natives that will pair well with Westringia. Grasses like Dianella, Lomandra and Poa can add movement and texture, ground covers like Myoporum and Carpobrotus are great for filling in gaps and supress weeds.

 

SPACING:

Recommended spacing will depend on your intended use but for hedging we suggest the following;

For smaller pot sizes (140mm and 200mm) we recommend 3-4 plants per metre and for larger pot sizes (300mm and 400mm), 2-3 plants per metre. This is a guide only.

For accent planting, every 1-1.5m is ideal.

 

POT SIZES:

We stock Westringia fruticosa Smokey in several pot sizes, from 140mm-300mm. The 140mm are a great starting size but if you’re after something a little more advanced, have a look at our 200mm and 300mm pots.

 

OTHER VARIETIES:

Westringias are a large family of native plants with different cultivars available. Other popular varieties include Westringia Fruticosa, ‘Jervis Gem’, ‘Wynyabbie Gem’ and ‘Blue Gem’, some of which produce purple flowers and have different foliage colours. For more information on these varieties, have a look at their product pages and if you don’t see what you’re looking for on our website, feel free to send us an email as we are happy to try and source plants for you!

 

SUMMARY:

Position: Full sun to part shade
Max Height: 1.5m
Max Width: 1.5m

Spacing for hedging: Every 25-40cm depending on pot size
Type: Native, Hedge, Ornamental, Border, Containers

Feed: Slow-release fertiliser

Pruning: Once to twice a year in warmer months depending on desired height