Westringia fruticosa

Westringia fruticosa, formerly known as Westringia rosmariniformis, is also called Australian Rosemary because of its resemblance to the emblematic shrub of the Mediterranean scrubland. This discreetly elegant shrub belongs to the same Lamiaceae family and also has evergreen needle-like leaves that are grey-green with a white underside, and produces small bilabiate flowers. However, its flowers are very pale mauve to white, slightly larger, and discreetly punctated with purple in the throat. Its flowering period is remarkably long, abundant in spring, more sporadic in summer, and throughout the year in cool and moist soil. It is slightly less hardy than common rosemary, so it is best grown in the ground only in the mildest regions. However, as it adapts very well to pot cultivation in colder regions, it will bring a touch of the Mediterranean to the terrace throughout the summer season before being stored frost-free in winter.

Westringia fruticosa is native to eastern Australia and southern New South Wales. It prefers well-drained, dry and somewhat acidic soil. This shrub has a rounded, slightly spreading habit, supported by stiff square-sectioned branches. Its growth is quite fast in moist soil. An adult specimen will reach an average height and spread of 1.2 m (4 ft), but depending on the richness and freshness of the soil, it can reach 2 m (7 ft) or more in a favourable climate. Its evergreen foliage consists of very narrow, linear leaves, measuring 1.5 to 2.5 cm (1 in) in length. They are stiff, less leathery than those of rosemary, and arranged in whorls of 3 to 5. They are dark green on the upper side and white-felted on the underside. The flowering period is from May to September, especially in spring. The bilabiate flowers are solitary and emerge from the leaf axils, mainly at the ends of the branches. The flower diameter varies between 8 mm (0.3 in) and 15 mm (0.6 in), with colours ranging from pale bluish-white to very pale mauve. The throat is often punctated with small purple spots.

The Australian Rosemary is elegant and easy to grow: it is tolerant of soil conditions, resistant to drought, and not affected by salt spray. Its only enemy is the cold, which can cause it to disappear at temperatures as low as -5 °C (23 °F) if the soil is not adequately drained. This shrub is very floriferous and requires little maintenance, except for an annual pruning in late winter to maintain its compact and rounded shape. It forms beautiful hedges in seaside areas and pairs well with all kinds of shrubs from mild climates such as ceanothuses, mimosas, oleanders, bottlebrushes, leptospermums, melaleucas, or grevilleas. The choice is endless, so it is simply a matter of taste. Growing it in a container allows the shrub to overwinter in a cold greenhouse or a very bright and minimally heated conservatory in very cold regions.