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Westringia longifolia

long-leaf westringia

Lamiaceae

New South Wales (Sydney sandstone region)

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Westringia longifolia is an evergreen shrub in the Lamiaceae family, growing 5-8 feet (1.5-2.5 m) tall and 5-6.5 feet (1.5-2 m) wide with an upright, bushy form. The narrow leaves are 0.8-1.6 inches (2-4 cm) long, deep green above and pale beneath, arranged in whorls of three to four around the stems. Small white to pale lilac two-lipped tubular flowers about 0.4 inch (1 cm) long open over much of the year, with a flush in spring, and carry small orange-brown spots in the throat. It is native to sandstone country near Sydney in New South Wales and grows on poor, well-drained soils. It is fast-growing, hardy to about 23F (-5C), and tolerant of wind, coastal salt, and dry spells once established. It withstands regular clipping, which is why it is grown for hedging. Heavy, wet soils shorten its life. The dense foliage shelters small birds.

Native Range

Westringia longifolia is native to New South Wales, where it grows on sandstone soils in open forest and heath near Sydney. Its natural range is centred on the Sydney basin.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a hedge, screen, and windbreak in coastal and low-water gardens, spaced 3-5 feet (1-1.5 m) apart for a continuous hedge. The dense foliage shelters small birds. It also suits large containers and clipped shapes.

How to Identify

Recognised by narrow deep green leaves arranged in whorls of three to four along square stems, typical of the mint family. White to pale lilac two-lipped flowers with orange-brown throat spots open along the stems. The whorled leaves and pale flowers separate it from coastal rosemary, Westringia fruticosa.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4'11" - 8'2"

Width/Spread4'11" - 6'7"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~20 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering occurs over much of the year, with the heaviest flush in spring, roughly September to November in the Southern Hemisphere. The white to pale lilac two-lipped flowers open in the leaf axils. Bees and other insects visit the flowers.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White to pale lilac

Foliage Description

Deep green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 6-10 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun to light part shade in well-drained sandy or loamy soil at a pH of 5.5-7.5. Water needs are low once established, and the plant withstands wind, coastal salt, and dry periods. It is hardy to about 23F (-5C). Heavy, poorly drained soils shorten its life and encourage root rot. It responds to clipping with denser growth.

Pruning

Regular light clipping keeps the shrub dense and suits it to formal and informal hedging. It tolerates hard pruning and reshoots from older wood, so overgrown plants can be cut back. Pruning after the spring flush maintains shape through the year.

Pruning Schedule

late springsummer

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 5 gallons

✓ Toxicity

Non-toxic