Westringia hybrid 'Naringa'

Coastal Rosemary 'Narninga' / Native Rosemary 'Naringa'

Botanical Name: Westringia hybrid 'Naringa'
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Australia
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Overview

‘Naringa’ is a premium hedge form of Coastal Rosemary bred for tight internodes, heavy flowering and superb heat/salt tolerance—ideal for Adelaide and SA’s coastal suburbs. It clips cleanly into formal shapes or holds a naturally neat form, with lavender-mauve to white blooms over fine grey-green foliage for much of the year.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 1–2 m H × 1–1.5 m W (keeps a tight, upright shape with light clipping)
• Growth Rate: 30-50 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Narrow, rosemary-like grey-green leaves; dense, tidy habit
• Flowers: Pale mauve to white, heaviest spring and again in autumn, with spot flowering most months
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen backbone with extended bloom periods
• Wildlife Value: Attracts native bees and beneficial insects; dense branching shelters small birds
• Tolerance: Drought & heat tolerant once established; excellent salt & wind tolerance; light frost hardy; suits sandy/limestone soils with good drainage
• Planting Density: Hedge: 1 plant per metre (0.7 m for very tight screens) • Specimen/mass: 1.2–1.5 m apart
• Pet Friendly: Generally non-toxic; discourage chewing of any ornamental plant

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (more sun = tighter form & heavier bloom)
• Soil: Well-drained loam, sandy loam or improved clay; avoid chronic waterlogging
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 10–14 days in summer (more in heatwaves); monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Tip-prune after flowering or light clip 2–4×/yr to keep hedges crisp and encourage new flowers; mulch in spring; feed lightly in early spring (native-safe, low-P fertiliser if planting with natives)
• Lifespan: 15-25 years
• Climate Zones: Suited to temperate and Mediterranean SA gardens, including coastal areas
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to alkaline; happy on Adelaide limestone

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Formal hedging & screens: creates tight, straight lines along boundaries, paths and driveways with just a few trims; great alternative to box in hot, coastal sites
• Containers & courtyards: holds shape beautifully in large pots and troughs; perfect flanking entries or framing outdoor rooms
• Coastal & poolside planting: thrives in salt spray and wind; pair with lomandra, dianella, olives and succulents for a contemporary Mediterranean/native palette

Why You Will Love It

‘Naringa’ gives you a polished, evergreen hedge that handles Adelaide’s heat, wind and coastal conditions without fuss. It flowers for months, clips cleanly, and keeps borders looking premium year-round with very little maintenance.