Smokie Variegated Coastal Rosemary

Smokie Variegated Coastal Rosemary (Westringia fruticosa 'Smokie') is a low native hedging shrub that reaches about 1.2m tall and wide, with cream and grey green variegated foliage that holds its markings in full sun. Small white flowers appear through most of the year. It clips into a crisp low hedge, ball or border and shrugs off salt, wind, drought and poor soil.

Why you'll love it

• Variegation that does not scorch. Many variegated plants bleach or burn in Australian sun. This one holds its cream margins in a full sun position.
• It clips beautifully. Fine dense foliage and a naturally rounded habit make it one of the easiest natives to shape into hedges, balls or low borders.
• Genuinely tough. Frost hardy, salt tolerant, wind tolerant, drought tolerant and happy in poor soil, so front verges and beachside gardens suit it.
• A useful, modest size. At 1.2m by 1.2m it defines a bed or edges a path without blocking a view or swallowing a small garden.

Where it works best

Low hedging and borders. Plant 60cm apart for a dense hedge. At that spacing the plants meet within a season or two and can be held anywhere between 60cm and 1.2m with regular trimming.

Mass planting. Set 60cm apart across a slope or verge for a continuous silver toned block that needs no watering once away.

Coastal gardens and topiary. Salt laden wind does not mark the foliage, and the tight growth holds a clipped ball or cube near the beach.

Growing coastal rosemary in Australia

Position and climate. Full sun gives the strongest variegation and the densest growth; part shade makes it loose and green. It suits cool temperate, warm temperate, subtropical and Mediterranean gardens, and handles frost once established.

Soil. Drainage matters far more than fertility. Sandy and gravelly soils are ideal, and it tolerates poor ground happily. On clay, raise the bed and work coarse material through it, because wet feet in winter is the one thing that kills it.

Water and feed. Water weekly through the first summer, then only in extended dry spells. Feeding is largely unnecessary; a light application of low phosphorus native fertiliser in early spring is plenty, and rich soil produces soft floppy growth.

Pruning. Trim lightly and often rather than hard and rarely. Two or three light trims through the warmer months keep it tight. Avoid cutting back into bare wood, as it reshoots poorly from old stems.

What to expect when it arrives

It is grown in five sizes: tube stock, 140mm pots in packs of ten, 200mm in packs of six, 250mm in packs of three, and single 300mm plants. Tube stock and 140mm packs are the sensible economics for a long border, since this shrub establishes quickly. The 250mm and 300mm plants give an immediate low hedge.

Plants travel well because the foliage is firm rather than soft. Expect roots to take hold within a month in warm weather, then give a first light trim about eight weeks after planting to start branching. Delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and a minimum order of $300 before delivery, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• The complete westringia care guide
• Compare the best hedging plants for your boundary.
• Browse more salt tolerant coastal plants.
• See other variegated foliage plants.

Common questions

How far apart should I plant it?

Sixty centimetres apart for a dense hedge or mass planting. Closer spacing wastes plants and restricts airflow, which encourages fungal problems in humid summers.

Can I keep it lower than 1.2m?

Yes. Regular light trimming holds it at 60cm to 80cm without difficulty. Start trimming while the plant is young so it branches low rather than lifting into bare stems.

Will the variegation revert to plain green?

Occasionally a stem will throw plain green growth. Cut those shoots out at the base as soon as you see them, since green growth is more vigorous and will eventually dominate.