Westringia Grey Box

Sun

Full sun to light partial shade; growth is densest in full sun.

Water

Water regularly while establishing; once established, water deeply during prolonged dry spells. Avoid persistently wet soil.

Soil

Well-drained sandy, loamy or improved clay soil; tolerates a range of soil pH but dislikes waterlogging.

Height

1-1.5 ft (0.3-0.45 m)

Spread

1-1.5 ft (0.3-0.45 m)

Flowers

Small white flowers, mainly in spring and summer, with occasional flowers at other times in mild climates.

Foliage

Evergreen. Small, narrow grey-green leaves with pale undersides, held densely around the stems.

Growth

Slow to moderate.

Care needed

Low

• Pollinators
• Drought tolerant
• Heat tolerant
• 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

   1.2 ft (0.38 m)

   full size

About 7 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

Growth rate

Slow

• Water deeply through the first growing season, allowing the soil surface to dry between waterings.
• Once established, give supplementary water during extended drought rather than frequent shallow watering.
• Apply a light dose of controlled-release fertiliser in spring if growth is weak; avoid heavy feeding.
• Spread mulch over the root area, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Use a pot with drainage holes and free-draining potting mix where winter-wet soil is a problem.

Pruning. Lightly trim in spring after the main flowering flush, then again in summer if a formal shape is wanted. Keep cuts within leafy growth and avoid hard renovation into bare old wood.

Spring

Plant after damaging frosts have passed, and water thoroughly.

Spring

Check growth and apply a light feed only if needed.

Late spring

Trim after the main flowering flush to maintain a rounded mound or low hedge.

Summer

Check new plants regularly for dry roots; water established plants during prolonged drought.

Autumn

Clear blocked pot drainage holes and avoid heavy pruning before cold weather.

Winter

Protect container plants from hard frost and check that roots are not sitting in saturated soil.

• Plant closely as a low evergreen edging along sunny paths or terraces.
• Clip into small rounded mounds among gravel, paving and ornamental grasses.
• Repeat through a coastal border with lavender and dwarf bottlebrush for contrasting foliage and flowers.
• Use in containers beside steps or entrances where a compact evergreen shape is needed.
• Use as a box substitute in mild, sunny gardens with well-drained soil.

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

Plant it with: Lavender, Kangaroo paw, Dwarf bottlebrush, Blue fescue, Lomandra and Rock rose.

Wildlife: The small flowers attract bees and other visiting insects. Frequent clipping reduces flowering.

• Root rot and dieback in waterlogged soil: improve drainage, reduce watering and replace badly affected plants.
• Frost damage to leaves and shoot tips: choose a sheltered position, protect during cold snaps and remove dead growth after frost risk passes.
• Open or sparse growth in shade: move to a sunnier position and trim lightly within leafy growth.
• Yellowing or poor growth from excessive irrigation: let the root zone dry somewhat between waterings and check drainage before adding fertiliser.

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

• Coastal rosemary (Westringia fruticosa)

  The ordinary species becomes a much larger shrub with a looser outline; Grey Box stays naturally compact and densely rounded.

• Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)

  Rosemary has strongly aromatic leaves arranged in opposite pairs. Westringia usually has leaves in whorls of three or four and lacks the familiar culinary rosemary scent.

• Common box (Buxus sempervirens)

  Box has broader, rounded, usually glossy green leaves in opposite pairs; Grey Box has narrow grey-green leaves and small white, lip-shaped flowers.

Westringia honours the Swedish physician Johan Peter Westring, while Grey Box refers to its grey foliage and use as a compact alternative to box hedging.

Propagation. Propagate from semi-ripe cuttings in summer to retain the cultivar's characteristics. Grey Box is sold under the cultivar name 'WES04'; check local plant breeders' rights or patent restrictions before propagating.

Accepted botanical name

Westringia

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