Westringia Fruticosa 'Jervis Gem'

Jervis Gem Westringia / Coastal Rosemary ‘Jervis Gem’

Botanical Name: Westringia fruticosa ‘Jervis Gem’
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Australia
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub

Overview

A hardy and reliable coastal shrub ideal for Adelaide and wider South Australia, Westringia fruticosa ‘Jervis Gem’ forms a neat, naturally rounded mound of soft grey-green foliage and produces gentle mauve-lilac flowers throughout much of the year. Compact, resilient and extremely tolerant of salt, wind, heat and poor soils, it’s a set-and-forget choice for low hedging, coastal gardens, Mediterranean designs and water-wise landscapes. The fine foliage may take on subtle silver tones in summer dryness, and while not fragrant, it offers a clean, fresh native aroma when brushed.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 1–1.2 m H × 1–1.2 m W – dense, rounded habit
• Growth Rate: 20-40 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Narrow grey-green leaves in tidy whorls; lightly aromatic when crushed; can develop soft silver tints in dry or coastal conditions
• Flowers: Soft lilac-mauve blooms appearing year-round, with heaviest flushes in spring and autumn
• Seasonal Interest: A dependable evergreen structure plant with long-season flowering and subtle colour shifts in the foliage during hot, dry periods
• Wildlife Value: Attractive to native bees, hoverflies and beneficial insects; dense branching provides shelter for small birds
• Tolerance: Highly drought-tolerant once established; excellent salt and wind tolerance; handles reflected heat and coastal conditions; light frost hardy
• Planting Density: Low hedge or border: 1 plant per metre (0.7 m for a very tight line); Mass planting or specimen spacing: 1.2–1.5 m apart
• Pet Friendly: Generally safe and non-toxic to pets; avoid allowing pets to chew any ornamental foliage

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun to part shade (full sun produces tightest shape and best flowering)
• Soil: Free-draining sandy loam, coastal sand, or improved clay; avoid 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: Very low-maintenance—tip prune after flowering or lightly clip 2–3× per year to maintain a crisp form; mulch in spring; apply a light native-safe fertiliser in early spring if required
• Lifespan: 15-25+ years
• Climate Zones: Perfect for temperate and Mediterranean SA regions, especially coastal suburbs
• Soil pH: Slightly acidic to alkaline; thrives on Adelaide’s limestone soils

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Soft, compact native hedge for pathways, driveways or property frontages
• Coastal and poolside plantings where salt, wind and exposure limit other shrubs
• Mediterranean and waterwise garden palettes with lomandra, dianella, olives and rosemary
• Courtyard and alfresco container planting for year-round structure and gentle colour

Why You Will Love It

‘Jervis Gem’ is a resilient, compact native well-suited to Adelaide conditions, offering year-round structure, soft lilac blooms and exceptional tolerance to heat, drought and coastal exposure. It stays neat with minimal clipping, supports pollinators, and delivers reliable low-maintenance performance in modern and coastal garden designs.