Mundi coastal rosemary

Sun

Full sun to light partial shade; growth is denser and flowering better in full sun.

Water

Water regularly while establishing; once established, water deeply during prolonged dry spells rather than little and often.

Soil

Well-drained sandy, loamy or gravelly soil. Tolerates a range of soil pH and coastal conditions, but dislikes prolonged waterlogging.

Height

1.3-1.6 ft (0.4-0.5 m)

Spread

4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m)

Flowers

Small white, two-lipped flowers, mainly from spring through autumn; scattered flowers may appear in other seasons in mild climates.

Foliage

Evergreen. Small, narrow grey-green leaves arranged in whorls, with paler, softly hairy undersides.

Growth

Moderate

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• Wildlife
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.5 ft (0.45 m)

   full size

About 5 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Native to

Australia

Growth rate

Moderate

• Water when the root zone begins to dry during the first growing season; reduce watering once roots are established.
• Keep mulch clear of the stems and crown to reduce the risk of rot.
• Feed lightly in spring only if growth is weak; avoid heavy applications of high-nitrogen fertiliser.
• Allow room for its full spread rather than planting tightly against paths or neighbouring shrubs.
• Choose a sheltered position in colder districts; in containers, protect the roots and move under cover before hard frost.

Pruning. Lightly trim after the main flowering flush to keep the plant dense and within bounds. Remove dead or damaged shoots in spring, and avoid cutting hard into old, leafless wood.

Spring

Check for frost damage and remove dead shoots once the risk of severe frost has passed.

Spring

Plant in frost-prone districts after frosts; water thoroughly and mulch without covering the crown.

Late spring

Lightly trim after a strong flowering flush if a neater outline is needed.

Summer

Check new plants during dry weather and water deeply when the root zone starts drying.

Autumn

Plant in mild, frost-free districts while the soil is warm; check that winter rain can drain away.

Winter

Protect container plants from hard frost and avoid watering soil that is already wet.

• Mass beneath taller, open-canopied shrubs to form a low evergreen layer.
• Edge broad paths or driveways with a softly clipped ribbon of grey-green foliage.
• Plant on sunny, well-drained banks where its spreading habit helps cover exposed soil.
• Combine with ornamental grasses, lavender and rockwork in a coastal or Mediterranean-style garden.
• Use in large containers where its low branches can spill over the rim.

Garden styles it suits: Australian native, Coastal, Mediterranean, Dry gravel garden, Low-maintenance and Contemporary minimal.

Plant it with: Lavender, Kangaroo paw, Lomandra, Blue flax lily, Rock rose and Rosemary.

Wildlife: The flowers provide nectar for bees and other visiting insects. Dense foliage offers low shelter for small garden animals.

• Root rot in wet soil: improve drainage before planting, keep the crown above surrounding soil level and avoid frequent irrigation.
• Frost scorch or dieback: choose a sheltered site, protect young plants during cold spells and remove damaged growth in spring.
• Sparse, open growth in shade: move to a sunnier position and lightly trim leafy shoots to encourage branching.
• Scale insects: inspect stems if growth weakens or becomes sticky; remove small infestations by hand or use a suitable horticultural oil according to its label.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, although species-specific safety information is limited. No particular plant part is recognised as poisonous; it is an ornamental plant, not a substitute for edible rosemary.

• Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

  Culinary rosemary has strongly aromatic leaves arranged in opposite pairs; westringia has leaves in whorls, usually of three, and lacks the familiar rosemary scent.

• Common coastal rosemary (Westringia fruticosa)

  The ordinary species becomes a much taller, rounded shrub. Mundi stays low and spreads broadly; young plants can be difficult to distinguish without a reliable label.

Westringia honours Swedish physician and botanist Johan Peter Westring, while fruticosa means shrubby.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings from healthy, non-flowering shoots in summer and root in a free-draining medium. Seed does not reliably reproduce the cultivar; check local plant breeders' rights before propagating a protected selection.

Accepted botanical name

Westringia fruticosa

Native range

New South Wales and Queensland.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0) and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.