Westringia Fruticosa 'Mundi'

Coastal Rosemary Mundi / Native Rosemary Mundi / Coast Rosemary Mundi

Botanical Name: Westringia fruticosa 'Mundi'
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Australia
Plant Type: Evergreen shrub (naturally low, spreading groundcover/low hedge)

Overview

‘Mundi’ is the celebrated low-growing form of Coastal Rosemary—dense, salt-tough and ultra-low maintenance—perfect for Adelaide and coastal SA. It forms a neat, spreading mound of fine grey-green foliage with soft mauve-white flowers for much of the year, ideal for tidy verges, pool surrounds and modern native gardens.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.4–0.6 m H × 1.5–2.0 m W (spreading, ground-hugging habit)
• Growth Rate: 30-50 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Fine, grey-green, rosemary-like leaves in whorls; naturally compact and bushy
• Flowers: Pale mauve to white, heaviest in spring and autumn, with spot flowers year-round
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen, textural mound year-round with extended bloom periods
• Wildlife Value: Attracts native bees and beneficial insects; dense cover for small birds
• Tolerance: Drought and heat tolerant once established; excellent salt & wind tolerance; light frost hardy; copes with poor, sandy or limestone soils if drainage is good
• Planting Density: Groundcover/mass: 2–3 plants per m² (spacing 70–90 cm); Low hedge/edge: 0.6–0.8 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 and heavier flowering)
• 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: Clip lightly 2–4×/yr to keep a crisp line or let it billow naturally; mulch in spring; feed lightly in early spring (low-phosphorus native 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

• Seamless groundcover for streetscapes, verges and nature strips—handles reflected heat, wind and light foot traffic (edge to contain spread)
• Container ribbons in long troughs for courtyards and rooftop decks; pairs well with corten or charcoal pots
• Poolside & coastal gardens: salt-spray proof foliage stays neat with minimal clipping

Why You Will Love It

‘Mundi’ gives you the tidy, silver-green look of Coastal Rosemary in a naturally low, spreading form that needs only the lightest of trims. It’s Adelaide-tough—heat, coastal wind and low water are all fine—and it flowers for months while keeping paths, verges and garden edges looking polished with almost no fuss.