Westringia Fruticosa 'Grey Box'

Coastal Rosemary ‘Grey Box’

Botanical Name: Westringia fruticosa ‘Grey Box’
Family: Lamiaceae
Origin: Coastal regions of eastern and southern Australia
Plant Type: Compact evergreen shrub

Overview

A super-compact, low-maintenance native shrub, Westringia fruticosa ‘Grey Box’ is one of the toughest and most reliable small natives for Adelaide and South Australian gardens. With dense, fine grey-green foliage and neat, naturally rounded form, it’s perfect for formal low hedges, native borders, rockeries, and coastal landscapes. Small white to pale lavender flowers appear throughout most of the year, peaking in spring and early summer. Exceptionally drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant, and hardy, this plant is a true set-and-forget performer in South Australian conditions.

Key Features

• Mature Size: 0.4–0.5 m H × 0.4–0.6 m W (naturally rounded dome)
• Growth Rate: 15-25 cm per year under good conditions
• Foliage: Fine-textured, grey-green leaves with a silvery cast; foliage may take on subtle bronze tones in cold or drought
• Flowers: Small white to pale lilac blooms; main flush in spring–early summer, with sporadic flowers year-round
  
• Seasonal Interest: Evergreen form and long flowering season; attractive cool-weather foliage tints
• Wildlife Value: Attracts native bees, small insects, and nectar feeders
• Tolerance: Drought-tolerant (once established), heat-tolerant, wind-tolerant, coastal-tolerant (front-line); light frost (protect from hard frost)
• Planting Density: 3–4 plants per m² for groundcover massing; 0.4–0.5 m apart for low formal edging
• Pet Friendly: Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ingesting large amounts of foliage may cause mild tummy upset

Where It Works Best

• Sunlight: Full sun for best growth and colour; tolerates light or dappled shade
• Soil: Performs best in free-draining sandy or loamy soils; copes with coastal limey soils and slightly alkaline conditions typical of Adelaide gardens
• Water Needs: Establishment: 2 deep soaks/week for 8–12 weeks. Established: deep soak every 2-3 weeks in summer; monthly in winter if dry
• Maintenance: Very low-maintenance; clip once or twice yearly to shape if desired; Can be lightly tip-pruned after flowering for density; Feed with a low-phosphorus native fertiliser in spring
• Lifespan: 15–20+ years in suitable conditions
• Climate Zones: Ideal for Mediterranean and temperate South Australia, thriving in Adelaide’s coastal suburbs, hills, and plains
• Soil pH: Neutral to alkaline (tolerates slightly acidic soils if well-drained)

Landscape & Design Ideas

• Formal Low Hedges: Perfect for path edging or courtyard borders where neat form is essential with minimal clipping
• Native & Coastal Gardens: Use in coastal landscapes, dune plantings, or native garden designs—handles wind, salt spray, and poor soils
• Alfresco & Courtyard Pots: Compact habit and soft grey foliage make it excellent for containers and modern courtyard designs
• Mass Planting: Create striking waterwise groundcover drifts that maintain a sculpted look without trimming
• Mixed Native Beds: Pairs beautifully with Grevillea ‘Scarlet Sprite’, Eremophila glabra, Lomandra longifolia ‘Lime Tuff’, or Leucophyta brownii

Why You Will Love It

A true low-maintenance native icon, Westringia ‘Grey Box’ delivers structure, texture, and toughness for Adelaide gardens. It stays compact and tidy without pruning, copes with heat, drought, and salt, and suits both formal landscapes and natural coastal plantings. Reliable, evergreen, and endlessly adaptable — a South Australian favourite for good reason.