The delicate westringia is a type of mint that’s native to Australia. It is popular with gardeners because it can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Whether it’s planted to fill sparse flowerbeds, enhance hedges or add interest to retaining walls, it can be relied on for rapid growth and abundant blooms. Westringia flowers easily and often which makes it a hit with keen growers and tenders across the country.

If you’re looking for affordable online plants that can deliver maximum bloom for minimum effort, you can’t go wrong with westringia. It is a wonderfully hardy species that can withstand a variety of climates from the arid to very humid. It has a tolerance for cold, frost, drought and moisture. Plant yours in a sunny spot and it’ll pretty much handle anything.

Westringia is a versatile and hardy shrub cherished for its resilience and aesthetic appeal. To ensure its flourishing presence in your garden, consider these care tips.

·       Sunlight: Westringia thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.

·       Soil: Well-draining soil is key. Aim for a pH level of 6.0 to 7.0.

·       Watering: Once established, it's drought-tolerant, but regular watering during dry spells helps maintain its vigor.

·       Pruning: Prune lightly to maintain shape, usually in late spring or early summer.

·       Fertilisation: Minimal fertilisation is needed. A slow-release, balanced fertiliser in spring can suffice.

·       Pests and Diseases: Coastal Rosemary is relatively pest and disease-resistant.

With these simple steps, your Westringia will thrive and adorn your garden with its graceful charm year-round.

Picking the Right Variety of Westringia

Common varieties of westringia include Blue Gem (westringia hybrid), Naringa (westringia hybrid), Aussie Box (westringia hybrid), Grey Box (westringia fruticosa), Low Horizon (westringia fruticosa) and Mundi (westringia fruticosa).

Of these varieties, Naringa grows the tallest and can reach a height of around 2.2m. Low Horizon is the smallest of the bunch with a maximum height of approximately 30cm. If it’s groundcover you’re looking for, Naringa and Mundi are the best choices as they can reach a maximum width of 1.5m.

Blue Gem – blue purple flowers, best for garden edging and retaining walls

Grey Box – white flowers, ideal for box plantings as it is extremely drought resistant

Low Horizon – white flowers, a great choice for flowerbeds and covering sparse areas

Mundiwhite flowers, a highly effective lure for butterflies and bees

Naringa – mauve flowers, suitable for screens and tolerant of coastal conditions

Aussie Box – mauve flowers, suits both low maintenance growth and box gardens

Varieties: Westringia Fruticosa ProstrateWestringia Fruticosa VariegatedWestringia Funky ChunkyWestringia Glabra CadabraWestringia Jervis GemWestringia Lilac and LaceWestringia LongifoliaWestringia NaringaWestringia SmokeyWestringia White RamblerWestringia Wynyabbie GemWestringia Aussie BoxWestringia Blue GemWestringia Fruticosa Coastal RosemaryWestringia Grey BoxWestringia Mauve Skies

Choosing the Right Growing Spot for Your Westringia

Once you’ve picked the perfect online plants, consider the best way to welcome them to your garden. Westringia is highly versatile but it grows most successfully in full sunlight with fast-draining soil. Although it will cope in partial shade and/or sandy coastal conditions.

As this low maintenance mint will happily flourish in a variety of spots, there’s not much you can’t use it for. When flowering (as it does throughout much of the year), it looks as exquisite in colourful box hedging as it does in embankments and pots.

One important thing to remember is westringia’s strong appeal to bumblebees, butterflies and smaller birds. We encourage you to plant this charming species liberally in your garden and provide a safe haven for local wildlife.

Online Plants provides fast delivery across Australia, including Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Canberra and Brisbane, metropolitan and regional areas, accompanied by expert garden consultation services. As your trusted online plants nursery, we ensure accessibility to our botanical treasures, helping you create and maintain stunning gardens regardless of your location.